East End race track closed except by special permission – March 19, 1894

1889 photograph of horse "Forfarshire"
1889 photograph, "Forfarshire as a two-year-old"

Council ordered the East End [Hastings] race track to be closed and locked, only to be used by prior arrangement with Council. S.H. Holmes complained of dirty water coming from a nearby dye works. George E. Trorey offered two tame deer for [Stanley] Park.  A nine hour day clause to be included in all future contracts with the City. City Clerk authorized to call for tenders for new police uniforms.

This transcript was made in 2019 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon

Illustration: Vancouver Archives AM54-S4-2-: CVA 371-2929
[“Forfarshire” as a two year old, 1889]

original handwritten minutes here: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 5 pages 749 – 758

[Volume 5 page 749]

Vancouver March 19th 1894.
The Council met on Monday March 19th 1894 at 8 P.M.
Present – His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Salsbury Shaw, Queen, McDowell, McPhaiden, McCraney, Brown, Franklin, Shaw and C.L. Brown.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications

From H. Abbott Esq. notifying the Council to stop work on the roadway leading to the wharf or else enter into an agreement with him, the said roadway being private property.
Referred to the Board of Works
From C.J. Mayne etal asking for a sidewalk on 9th Av.
Referred to the Board of Works
From Messrs Evans, Coleman & Evans asking for the return of their deposit on pipe contract.
Referred to the Board of Works
From A.L. Fish of San Francisco submitting a tender for a heater. Filed
From the License Inspector giving a list of the Licensed Drays & Cabs Filed
From Martin Kelly agreeing to pay union wages to the men working on his contract. Filed
From C. Fossell asking for a sidewalk on 12th Av
Referred to the Board of Works
From G.A. Owens drawing attention to the condition of the streets on Mount Pleasant where the Street railway track is laid
Referred to the Board of Works

[volume 5 page 750]

From Wm Smith Deputy Minister of Marine acknowledging the receipt of the resolution of Council re the dredging of False Creek. Filed
From A.M. Beattie asking to be furnished with free water in the Market Hall as an offset for free light furnished to the Band room.
Referred to the Water Committee
From Adolphe Giguere stating that he had lost certain poll tax receipts and asking that he be not obliged to pay for same.
Referred to the Finance Committee
From Geo. E. Trorey offering two tame deer to the Park.
Referred to the Park Commissioners

The following Reports were received and read

Water Committee

The Water Committee met on Monday March 19th 1894.
Present – the full Board
It was recommended.
1. That the City Engineer have full control over the water works, foremen and men both as to hiring and discharging, and furnish the Committee with a report at each meeting of the work done and necessary to be done.
2. That W. P. Turner be notified that his services will not be required one month from the date of this notice.
3. That the following accounts be paid:-
4. W. Hooper etal. Labor. $209.05
Sgd John McDowell
Chairman
The Report was adoption on motion of Alderman Wm Brown Seconded by Alderman Queen.

[volume 5 page 751]

Finance Committee

The Finance committee met on Friday March 16th 1894
Present – Aldermen Salsbury, McDowell, Wm Brown and Bethune.
It was recommended:-
1. That the following accounts be paid:-
H. Kersey Labor, etc. $3.50
C.P. Telegraph Co. Telephones 5.34
City Plumbing Works Supplies 4.60
R.A. Anderson etal. Expenses two deputations to Victoria 60.50
Ial(?) Stroube Supplies 1.75
C.P.R.Co Freight 10.13
H.M. Customs Duty 4.20

2. That A.E. Brickway be granted Power of Attorney to clear City Goods out of Customs.
3. That the City Clerk be instructed to call for tenders for the purchase of the Local Improvement Debentures authorized to be issued for the paving of portions of Granville and Hastings Streets, said tenders to be received up to Friday April 13th at 4 PM, the advertisement to be inserted in the Montreal “Gazette” the “Shareholder” the “Empire”, the “Monetary Times” and the two local papers.
4. That the Mayor , City Clerk and the Finance Committee be authorized to sign a note for $20,000 on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Vancouver, bearing interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum paid note being drawn on authority of By-Law No 198 note being drawn on authority of By-Law No 198 passed on the 3rd day of March 1894.
5. That a rebate of 20 per cent be allowed on the amount of taxes paid by each person liable to pay taxes for the current year to the City of Vancouver if the said taxes be paid to the City Tax Collector on or before the 15th of July 1894, 15 per cent if paid between the 15th of July and the 15th of September 10 per cent if paid between the 15th of September and the 15th of November and 5 per cent if paid between the 15th of September November and the 16th of December.
6. That the East End Park Race Track be closed and any parties wishing to use it in the future must obtain permission from the Council before doing so, that a copy of this resolution be posted upon the gates and a copy sent to the Jockey Club and that the City Engineer bar and lock the gates and post the notices.
7. That the Financial Statement prepared by the Chairman Alderman Salsbury be printed in pamphlet form and that tenders be invited for having the work done, the advertisement to call for bids for 300 and 500 copies respectively.
8. That Henry Mutrie be appointed a valuator of securities for the investment of the Sinking Fund.
Sgd W.F. Salsbury
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McDowell
Seconded by “ Queen.
That the Report be adopted. Carried.

Board of Works

The Board of Works met on Thursday March 15th 1894.
Present – the Full Board.
It was recommended:-
1. That the plans submitted by Wm Blackmore of the Rogers Building on Block 15.Lot 11 541 be approved.
2. That M.S. Rose be offered $5.00 as a final settlement of his account for extra work on a sewer connection in Block 36.541
3. That the amended 9 hours clause prepared by the Trades & Labor Council be adopted and that it apply to all future contracts from this date.
4. That the communication from S.H. Holmes complaining of dirty water coming from the dye Works be referred to the Health Inspector for attention

[volume 5 page 753]

5. That the Communication from the Health Inspector suggesting the advisability of putting in a sewer in Block 8 & 22.185 be referred to the City Engineer to investigate and report and at the same time include the Section east of Westminster Av & South of Barnard St
6. That the City Engineer be instructed to prepare specifications for a new contract for crushing rock same to be ready for Thursday next
7. That H. Blyth be appointed Inspector of the basement drain on Granville Street at a salary of $3.00 per day.
8. That the Street Inspector send A. Balkwill a man to spread the earth he is dumping at the foot of Abbott Street and that the earth be hauled to Hastings Street to fill in the large tank corner of Abbott St.
9. That the City Solicitor be instructed to draw up a contract for Leamy & Kyle to sign for this year’s lumber.
10. That the City Engineer be instructed to see the architect for the Inns of Court building in connection with the necessary drainage for lavatory etc and report at the next meeting.
11. That the Girder rail Sec No 85A weight 70 lbs per yard manufactured by the Pennsylvania Steel Co be recommended to the Council for approval
12. That the following accounts be paid:-
D. Gibbons 7th Av $14.95
Thos Dunn & Co Paint for building rods 1.45
C.A. Keer Painting “ “ 12.00
W.C. Marshall Drayage 2.75
H. Lomas etal Labor 174.20
13. That the account of Messrs Boyd & Clandenning progress estimate on contract for
cutting

[volume 5 page 754]

Down Hastings Street and amounting to $329.00 be passed subject their furnishing a
Statement from the Vancouver Gas Co showing that the latter’s claim for damage to
their pipes has been settled.

Sgd H.P. McCraney
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Franklin
Seconded by “ C.L. Brown
That the Report be adopted. Carried

Health Committee

The Health Committee met on Tuesday March 13th 1894
Present – Aldermen McDowell, McPhaiden Wm Brown & C.L. Brown.
It was recommended:-
1. That H.T. Adams be appointed Crematory Caretaker at a salary of $50.oo per month including free house and fuel, engagement to date from the 1st of April.
2. That Dr. Thomas’ application for an increase of salary be not granted.
3. That the following accounts be paid:-
J.C. Douglas Supplies $13.00
McLennan & McFeely “ 2.15
Crowder & Penzer “ 35.24
Chas. Nelson “ 51.34
Crowder & Penzer “ 14.00
W.G. Warren “ 27.71
G.I.Wilson “ 24.50
C.S. Philp “ 16.39
Champion & White Scavengering 11.25
Pioneer Steam Laundry Washing 61.98
D.J. Campbell Supplies 13.10
C.F. Foreman Supplies 9.27
F. Filion “ 60.86
W.H. DeBon “ 40.14
Chas Nelson : 2.15
A.H. Thomas Med Attendance 10.00

[volume 5 page 755]

McIntosh & Co. Supplies $59.22
Wm Ralph “ .15
F. Filion “ 15.22
C.F. Foreman “ 6.09

Sgd John McDowell
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Salsbury
Seconded by “ Bethune.
That the Rule requiring the names of all candidates for offices to be submitted to Council to be voted on be suspended. Carried

Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown
Seconded by “ McDowell
That the Report be adopted as read. Carried

F.W.& L. Committee

The F. W. & L. Committee met on Wednesday March 14th 1894
Present – Aldermen Franklin, Queen, McCraney & Bethune
It was recommended:-
1. That the Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Co be requested to put at once one light on Cambie St Bridge and one light on Westminster Av bridge where directed by this Committee
2. That the following rates be recognized as the maximum price to be paid for chimney sweeping: 25, 35, & 50 cts for one, two and 3 stories respectively.
3. That the firemen be allowed 12 hours off duty each week in addition to their meal hours such time to be regulated by the Chief of the Department.

[volume 5 page 756]

4. That Fireman Evans be paid his regular wages during the time he was laid up with a broken leg less the amount he received for sick benefits from the lodges during that period.
5. That the BC Iron Works tender for constructing a heater for the fire department be accepted price $265.00
6. That Fireman James McInnes’ salary be increased $5.00 per month dating from Feb 1st.
7. That tenders be called for lighting the streets of the City for the next five years dating from the expiration of the present contract the said tenders to be received up to Wednesday April 18th 1894
Alderman Queen dissented.
8. That the present contractors for Street lighting be notified that the City intends to expropriate their jobs and wires.
9. That the Chief of the Fire Brigade be authorized to buy a car load of hard coal at $8.85 F.O.B. Vancouver
10. That the following accounts be paid:-
G.H. Bazley Horse shoeing $23.00
Wm Ralph Supplies 5.70
Tho. Dunn & Co “ 13.35
Vancouver Elec Ry & Co Light 1558.29
H. McDowell & Co. Supplies 8.80
Thos Lobb Shoes set 2.00
James A. Skriver & Co Supplies 6.50
John Johnson “ 8.00
I Forbes Horse Shoeing 4.00
McLennan & McFeeley Supplies 26.40
F. Filion “ 6.10
G. Johnson & Co “ 13.10
James Carnahan Scavengering 1.50
C.F. Foreman Supplies 17.39
Chas Nelson “ 2.25
Atkins & Atkins “ 2.25
Welsh Bros “ 114.39

[volume 5 page 757]

Crowder & Penzer Supplies $49.05
G.L. Allan “ 3.25
David Wilson “ 4.00
B.F. Henry “ 1.60
B.C. Mills T & T Co “ 11.16
Sgd J.L. Franklin
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Queen
Seconded by “ Wm Brown
That the Clause in the Report calling for Tenders for Street Lighting be struck out.
Carried

Moved by Alderman McDowell Franklin
Seconded by “ McDowell
That the Clause in reference to A.F. Evans be struck out. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Franklin
Seconded by “ C.L. Brown
That the Report as amended be adopted. Carried.

Motions

Moved by Alderman Shaw
Seconded by : McPhaiden
That the Street Railway Company be permitted to lay another track on Granville Street from Robson Street to Hastings Street providing the Company lease the use of the part of the street on which the track is laid from the City; paying $1.00 a year rent and to be terminated at any time after June of 1895 at the option of the City by giving three months notice and on condition rails to be laid and to be kept to the satisfaction of the City Council, provided that this portion of track of land shall not be included in the contract between the City and the Company 11th February 1889 and that an agreement be prepared by the City Solicitor and submitted to the Council at its next meeting and that the resolution passed by the Board of Works refusing permission and the above resolution passed in lieu thereof.

[volume 5 page 758]

Moved by Alderman McDowell
Seconded by “ Queen
That the resolution be laid over for one week. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Franklin
Seconded by “ C.L. Brown
That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare an agreement for submission to the next meeting of Council. Carried.

Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown
Seconded by “ McCraney
That the City Clerk be instructed to call for applications tenders for supplying uniforms to the Police Force said tenders to be received up to the next meeting of the Police Committee. Carried

Moved by Alderman Wm Brown
Seconded by “ McCraney
That the following labor account be paid.
H. Robertson etal $910.70 Carried

The Council then adjourned
Confirmed
W.F. Salsbury
Chairman

Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk