City Solicitor A. St. George Hamersley gave as his opinion that that “the Council could not reserve a part of the Street for Bicycle riders nor impose a compulsory tax on them“.
This transcript was made in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon.
Illustration source: COV Archives
Sp P15.1 – [Bicycle racers and others at Brockton Point]
Text source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 492 – 499
To see or download pictures of the original handwritten pages for this date, click on the buttons below (two parts)
[volume 7 page] 492
Vancouver March 15th 1897
The Council met on Monday March 18th 1897.
Present: Aldermen Painter, Neelands, McQueen, McPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, W. S. MacDonald and D. G. McDonald.
Moved by Alderman W. S. MacDonald
Seconded by “ Neelands
That Alderman Brown be appointed Chairman.
Carried
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed
From N. C. Schou, Reeve of Burnaby asking the Council to enforce the Wire Line Act in Vancouver.
Referred to the Board of Works
From the Hon Clifford Sifton acknowledging the receipt of resolution re the tidal flats of False Creek and Burrard Inlet.
From a Citizen of Ward 4 complaining about the premises on Lot 18.Block 20 D.L. 196.
Referred to the Health Inspector
From the City Solicitor stating that the Council could not reserve a part of the Street for Bicycle riders nor impose a compulsory tax on them.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From J. T. Brown, Secretary of the Licensing Board asking the Council to appoint a Committee to meet his Board to discuss the Music Hall License question etc
Moved by Alderman MacQueen
Seconded by “ W.S. MacDonald
That Alderman Brown
[volume 7 page] 493
Neelands and the Mover constitute the Committee.
Carried.
The following Reports were received and read:-
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday March 12th 1897.
Present – the full Board
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
H. Kersey Labor $4.00
Thos. F. McGuigan Express paid .45
Telephone Co. Rents 37.29
E. Clough Express 4.00
Wm Templeton Expenses to Victoria 20.00
Communications
From the Accountant and Clerk asking for increase of salary. Laid over
From S. Brighouse offering a site for a drill shed. Filed
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to procure forthwith any evidence that may be procurable in relation to the Smith case and furnish the City Solicitor with the same.
sgd Jas McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
[volume 7 page] 494
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday March 10th 1897.
Present – Aldermen Brown, Painter, Neelands, and D.G. McDonald.
Communications
From F.W. Boultbee asking for an increase of salary.
Laid over
From Mrs. E. Linux, Commander of Hire No 2 of the Maccabbees of the World asking for the Market Hall at a reduced rate for a public meeting on the 1st of April.
Resolved that she be informed that as the Council has refused similar applications the Committee cannot see it way clear to recommend the granting of her request.
The Estimates for the year were submitted and referred to the Finance Committee to be considered with the other estimates.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
C. Y. Henshaw. Commissions on meters $50.00
Hesson & Irving Supplies 4.50
James Caruchan Scavengering 6.75
J. Milner Labor .75
Robertson & Hackett Supplies 9.07
Con Ry Co. “ 5.00
Hooper etal Labor 422.75
C. J. Henshaw Supplies 914.12
Thos Dunn & Co “ 79.82
News.Advertiser “ 6.50
Coldwell Bros “ 117.56
F.W. Boultbee Freight Paid 36.37
John Boyd & Co “ 3.82
C. F. Foreman “ 2.90
Champion & White “ 3.00
sgd Wm Brown,
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
[volume 7 page] 495
Fire and Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday March 9th 1897.
Present – the full Board.
Communications
From the Pound Keeper furnishing Report
Filed.
From the Chief of Police, asking that the ordering of uniforms or plain clothes be left in his hand and that of the Chairman.
Resolved that two of the officers now in plain clothes be put back on regular duties in uniform and that the remaining officers in plain clothes be furnished suits at the same rate as that charged form uniforms and that the Chairman and the Chief of Police be authorized to order such uniforms or plain suits that may be required.
Resolved that officer Grady be appointed Jailer and Chain Gang Guard in place of officer North and that officer North be placed on regular patrol duty.
Resolved that the Pound keeper be asked to be present at the next meeting of the Board to explain his account for the feeding of dogs.
The Estimates for the year were submitted and approved and referred to the Finance Committee.
Resolved that a sum be placed in the Estimates for the printing of the new Police Regulations.
Resolved that the Bill of Fare for the feeding of the prisoners as presented were approved.
Resolved that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the contracts for
[volume 7 page] 496
hiring for the Chief of Police and Officers McAllister and Fulton.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Bell and Flett Supplies .75¢
Brachman & Leo “ 110.30
S. James Interpreting 7.00
Robert Clark Supplies 103.75
Chris A Cottle Express hire 2.50
News.Advertiser Supplies 4.
Evans Coleman & Evans “ 31.18
McDonald & Co “ 32.37
T.J. Roberts Hack Hire 2.
H. Kersey Labor .50
C.S. Philp Supplies 9.85
A Blaney “ 33.52
D.J. McPhalen “ 5.50
D. Evans “ 5.
J.C. Woodrow “ 30.60
McLennan & McFeely “ 11.
M.S. Rose “ 12.35
C.F. Foreman “ 41.93
F. Ellison “ 2.29
J. Dingham Salary 14.00
Thos Dunn & Co. Supplies 11.82
sgd Chas A Coldwell
Chairman
Moved by Alderman W.S. MacDonald
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday March 12th 1897
Present – the full Board
Mr T. A. Fee who asked about having the lane fixed between Alberni and Robson at Broughton St was informed that the Engineer would examine it and see what is necessary
The petition from bicyclists was discussed at length, a deputation waiting on the Board.
Resolved that the City Solicitor be requested
[volume 7 page] 497
to give his opinion as to whether the City can legally put down a cinder track on streets for the use of bicycles exclusively and whether it would be legal to fix a tax on bicycles to defray the cost.
Resolved that the change of grade on Barclay Street between Bute and Thurlow Streets as recommended by the Engineer in keeping with profile submitted be adopted as the established grade.
Resolved that the Engineer see the foreman of Ward 1 as to opening up of a road to give Mr Hartley access to lane rear of his premises.
Resolved that J. Romang be placed on the monthly Pay Toll at $65.00 per month and that A. K. Stuart’s salary be increased $8.37 per month in view of increasing work both to date from the 1st of March 1897.
From Champion and White asking for share of City “Street” surfacing and cleaning.
Filed for reference.
From Mason & Co asking that the walk on Dunsmuir Street: South Side from Hamilton Street to the lane be renovated.
Laid over pending estimates.
Petitions for the following improvements were also laid over pending the estimates
Beach Avenue grading Ward 1
Princess St: S Side 6 ft walk from Campbell to Hawk Av Ward 4
4th Av. Fairview. Grading from S. Granville St West for two blocks. Ward 1
Resolved that the Finance Committee be requested to consider the following Estimates for 1897 for Board of Works:-
Salaries $4000
Stationery 300
St. Cleaning 2000
St. Repairs 11000
[volume 7 page] 498
St. Sprinkling $500
St Improvements & Broken Rock 26500
Bridge repairs 2000
Sewer Maintenance 1200
Surface Drains 500
Contingencies 2000
Total $5000
Resolved that tenders be called up to the 25th inst at 4 P.M. for the following works:-
- Drake St. North Side 6 ft walk Granville St. to Howe St.
- Cambie St. East “ “ “ Robson St to the bridge
- Seymour St. West:” “ “ Drake St. to Pacific St.
- Richards St. “ “ “ Georgia St. to Robson St.
- Granville St. east:” 14’ “ Hastings to Bank of Montreal
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
B.H. Mills Supplies $35.81
Robertson & Hackett “ 55.48
Thos Dunn & Co “ 432.80
S. Elkins etal Labor 1207.20
sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted as read.
Moved in amendment by Alderman D.G. McDonald
Seconded by Alderman McQueen
That the clause in reference to increased salaries be laid over to be considered with estimates Amendment carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the Report as amended be adopted.
Carried
Motions
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Mayor and Chairman of the Finance Committee be authorized to sell the Debentures issued for the improvement of
[volume 7 page] 499
Water Works System under the provisions of By-Law no 267.
Carried
Reconsideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter:
That the By-Law to raise $132,000 in anticipation of the revenue for the year be reconsidered and finally passed and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and affix the Corporate Seal thereto. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the By-Law to amend the Fire Limit By-Law be reconsidered and finally passed and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Carried
The Council then adjourned
W Templeton
Mayor.
Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk
