Council “endorses the petition of the Carriers to the Government for an increase of pay and also an annual holiday of two weeks without suspension of salary“. Council also put an order to McClary Co. for 1,000 enamelled street signs, white with blue lettering, 4.5 inches wide, at 40 cents each.
This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration Source: City of Vancouver Archives
Port P957 – [Letter carriers and inside workers in the post office at Pender Street and Granville Street]
Source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 8 pages 202 – 211
[Volume 8 page] 202
Vancouver March 14th 1898
The Council met on Monday March 14th 1898
Present: His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, Brown, Foreman and McMorran.
The Minutes of last meetings were read and adopted.
Communications
From E. Denton etal, Letter Carriers asking the Council to endorse a petition to the Post Master General requesting that their wages be raised to $2.00 per day.
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by Alderman Painter
That this Council is of the opinion that the remuneration of the Letter Carriers of this City is insufficient and the Council heartily endorses the petition of the Carriers to the Government for an increase of pay and also an annual holiday of two weeks without suspension of salary and instructs His Worship the Mayor and City Clerk to transmit a properly certified copy of this resolution to the Post Master General.
Carried.
From Mr. G.R. Maxwell, MP, asking that the City Engineer meet Col Anderson of the Department of Marine in reference to placing buoys etc. at the entrance to the Harbour.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Chief of Police reporting on the Electric Lights.
Filed.
From the Post Master General acknowledging receipt of letter re letter box at New City Hall, Westminster Avenue.
Filed.
From ThP. H. Moore asking for a sidewalk on Tenth Av.
Referred to the Board of Works.
[Volume 8 Page] 203
From ThP. Peel etal, asking for a sidewalk on the north side of 7th Av. {from Bridge Street 2 blocks west}.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Wm. Pedder asking for compensation for injuries to his rig and harness through defective condition of Nicola Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Lieut. Col. Worsnop, asking for a grant for the Battery Band.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
From W.H. Lucas etal, asking for a sidewalk on Alberni Street {from Thurlow to Nicola Streets}.
Referred to the Board of Works.
The following reports were received and read:
Fire and Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday March 8th 1898
Present: the full Board
Communications
From the Chief of Police and Firemen asking for increases of salary.
Laid over for Estimates.
From J.G. Jonah resigning his position as Engineer at Fire Hall No 2.
Resolved that his resignation be accepted to take effect on Tuesday next. That the Chief of the Fire Brigade be empowered to employ temporary help and that applications be called for a Driver ….
[Volume 8 Page] 204
…Fireman and Engineer for the Fire Department to be received up to next meeting.
The following tenders were received for police and firemen’s uniforms:
From S. McPherson & Co, Wm. Murphy, Mortimore BrP and Dan Stewart.
Resolved that Wm. Murphy be awarded the contract for making the Firemen’s suits from sample No 271 259 and S. McPherson & Co for the Police uniforms from sample furnished, such times to be supplied to the Police.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| V Straube | Supplies | $43.50 |
| Dr. Tunstall | Medical Ex. | 10.00 |
| J.C. Woodrow | Supplies | 30.64 |
| G.A. Roedde | “ | 5.00 |
| Dr. Poole | Mental Ex. | 20.00 |
| S. McPherson & Co | Supplies | 5.00 |
| F. Ellison | “ | 1.20 |
| Dominion Fish Co. | “ | 5.60 |
| Jas. Cornahan | Scavengering | 3.00 |
| City Grocery Co. | Supplies | 41.23 |
| Crowder & Penzer | “ | 28.44 |
| Johnson Gibbins | Veterinary Services | 5.00 |
| R. Campbell | Supplies | 2.65 |
| ThP. Dunn & Co | Supplies | 5.73 |
| W.J. McGuigan | Inquest | 10.00 |
| J. Dodson | Supplies | 29.30 |
Sgd. R.A. McMorran
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Foreman
Seconded by Alderman McMorran
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
[Volume 8 Page] 205
Finance Committee
The Board of Works met on Friday March 11th 1898.
Present: Aldermen McQueen, Painter and Brown
The following contracts were approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate seal affixed thereto:
Bread Joseph Dodson
Fish & Green Groceries, Dominion Fish Co.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| G.A. Roedde | Supplies | 36.95 |
| Telephone Co. | Rents | 35.40 |
| The World P&P Co | Supplies | 57.45 |
| News Advertiser | Supplies | 50.07 |
| Nicol Allan | Collecting Votes | 6.00 |
| E.M. McDonough | “ | 3.00 |
| H. Kersey | Labor | 5. |
| Rand BrP | Insurance | 30. |
| D.C. McGregor | “ | 30. |
| ThP. Clough | Dryage | 5.25 |
Communications
From the Battery Band asking for an appropriation of $500.
Laid over for Estimates.
From the Secretary of the Free Library Board asking for instructions as to whether former members now residing outside the City would be allowed to participate in the benefits of the Lending Library.
Resolved that the privilege be granted to City Ratepayers residing in the Vicinity of the City.
Resolved that the telephone at the Market Shed be discontinued after the end of the present month.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed …..
[Volume 8 Page] 206
…. to write to the Manager of the Hastings Mill asking for $14.55 due the Estate of one Charles Johnson who was buried at the City’s expense and that the Mayor be authorized to guarantee to hold him harmless if he should require such guarantee.
From Adell Typewriting Co. quoting prices for type writers.
Resolved that the Chairman and Alderman Brown be appointed a Committee to look after the purchase of a suitable type writer.
A deputation was received from the School Board who asked that a further sum be placed in the Estimates for fencing the School grounds etc.
They were told to submit a supplementary estimate which would be considered with the General Estimates.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to advertise the changes made in the Provincial Voters Lists Act and have 3000 circulars printed and circulated in relation to the same matter.
Sgd. Jas. McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Water & Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday March 9th 1898.
Present: the full Board.
Communications
From Wm. Gaskill etal, asking for a water main on 9th Av. between Prince Edward St. and Columbia Streets.
[Volume 8 Page] 207
Referred to the City Engineer to examine.
From John Glenn, asking for an increase in wages.
Laid over for the Estimates.
From Major Bennett, asking for loan of chairs for Saturday night for Battery Concert in Drill Hall.
It was resolved to lend the Battery the use of the Market Hall upon payment of expenses of heating and caretaker.
From Bell and Flett offering to repair the roof of the City Hall for $240.00.
Referred to the Mayor and City Engineer.
Moved by Alderman McGuigan that the Health Inspector be instructed to make an inspection of all Saloons and Hotels and report upon their sanitary condition and the amount of water consumed for sanitary purposes for public urinals.
Carried.
It was resolved to rent the shed behind the City Hall for one year for a rental of $8.00 per month.
The following tenders were received for Brass, Lead, Lead pip etc.
Brass Cocks etc.
C.G. Henshaw $373 Dept. $18
John Boyd & Co 387 Dept. $19.37
Caldwell BrP 580 Dept. $29.00
It was resolved to accept C.G. Henshaw’s tender of $373.00.
Lead Pipe
John Boyd & Co $104.75 per ton Dept. $52.32
It was resolved to accept John Boyd & Co’s tender of $104.75 per ton.
[Volume 8 Page] 208
Ten Tons Pighead
John Boyd & Co Delivery on or before June 1st $84.75
Do Do Do {ditto} Do about middle Aug. $79.50
It was resolved to accept John Boyd & Co’s tender of $79.50 with delivery at middle of August.
Sidewalk plates, special castings etc.
Vancouver City Ironworks
Iron Castings 3 cts per lb
Brass Castings 30 cts per lb
Sidewalk plates 40 cts each
It was resolved to accept the tender of the Vancouver City Iron Works for special castings and sidewalk plates.
It was resolved to instruct the City Treasurer to hand over to the Water Works Gibbon’s deposit made on the Georgia Street Contract to pay for repairs to water services inquired by contractors men.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| I. Bushong | Electrical Wiring | $126.70 |
| John Boyd & Co | Supplies | 80.52 |
| City Grocery Co | Supplies | 41.84 |
| Jno Carnahan | Scavengering | 5.00 |
| Hobson & Ingram | Supplies | 3.50 |
| Clarke & Stuart | Supplies | 5.55 |
| Robertson & Hackett | Supplies | 6.21 |
| Water Works Pay Roll | Labor | 431.50 |
| Evans, Coleman & Evans | Supplies | 6.07 |
| J. Dodson | Supplies | 3.10 |
| Vancouver City Iron Works | Supplies | 15.85 |
| J.C. Woodrow | Supplies | 21.36 |
| Dominion Fish Co | Supplies | 1.70 |
Sgd. W. Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
[Volume 8 Page] 209
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday March 10th 1898.
Present: the full Board
Communications
From J.R. Roy (E. Resident Engineer Department of Public Works, New Westminster) stating that he will be willing to examine the site for the proposed dredging at False Creek. {Reported the bar to be of sand to a depth of at least seven feet. Ald. McPhaiden made remarks giving his opinion that every precaution should be taken to clear away the bar, for the good of the City}.
Referred to the Engineer & Ald. McPhaiden.
Mr. Wickenden submitted a plan for warehouse, for Brachman & Ker to be built on Hastings Street.
Plan approved being in accordance with the requirements of Fire Limit By-Law.
From Vancouver Hardwar Co, asking why they did not get a share of the hardware contract for the year.
Resolved that they be informed that their figures as a whole were a good deal higher and that Messrs. Dunn & Co and McLennan & McFeely’s figures were very close.
Resolved that in connection with the proposed wood block paving that 60 per cent of the estimated cost be figured for 40 years debentures and remaining 40 per cent of the estimates cost for 12 years debentures. Sinking fund to be prepared at 4 per cent also interest at 4 per cent.
From a large number of petitioners asking for a sidewalk on Hasting Street east, as far as Victoria Drive.
Already provided for in the Estimates.
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to examine the condition of the bitumous rock in the City Yard and report at the next meeting.
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to see the most suitable places in the central part of the City for pulling in 6 urinals in the lanes…..
[Volume 8 Page] 210
…and report at the next meeting also as to the probable cost.
From the McLary Manufacturing Co per W.E. Deake offering enamelled street signs for the following prices –
4” wide 40 cts each delivered
4.5” wide 40 cts each delivered
5” wide 45 cts each delivered
Average length 15” inches
Resolved that this Board recommends that the Council obtains 1000 of these enamelled street signs 4.5” wide at 40 cts each, blue letters on the white background.
From A.E. Tregent asking that the Chain gang be permitted to grade Bidwell Street from George St to Alberni Street.
To be done by the Chain Gang in proper turn.
From M.A. Reid asking for work.
Filed for reference.
A Deputation attended the Board meeting asking for improvements in Nicola Street. They were informed that the matter would be taken up with the Estimates provision already having been made in the list prepared.
The matter of replacing the existing 8” sewer from the Post Office to Burrard Street, 860 feet by 10 ich pipe was discussed and on motion added to the Estimates for sewerage extension.
| W.L. Tait & Sons | Supplies | $146.58 |
| Robertson & Hackett | Supplies | 206.43 |
| R.C.P. Mills Co | Supplies | 107.91 |
| Rose BrP | Hack hire | 46.50 |
| Clarke & Stuart | Supplies | 22.65 |
| Evans, Coleman & Evans | Supplies | 3.75 |
| ThP. Dunn & Co | Supplies | 98.37 |
| S. Elkins etal | Labor | 1482.05 |
Sgd. H. J. Painter
Chairman
[Volume 8 Page] 211
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by Alderman McMorran
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Alderman Painter asked that his motion re wood block paving be laid over for one week.
Granted.
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by Alderman Painter.
That the By-Law to raise $145,000 in anticipation of the Revenue for 1898 be reconsidered and finally passed.
Carried.
The Council then adjourned.
James F. Garden
Mayor
Thp. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
Note
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily News Advertiser; City Council, March 15th 1898, pg 3
