“Dangerous” Dwellings Ordered Cleaned or Demolished – March 22, 1897

Several buildings were ordered cleaned or demolished by the Board of Health, such buildings and filth thereunder to be a nuisance and dangerous to the Public Health.” Mrs. E. Campbell and four children to be sent to Ripley, Ontario by Council on the most favourable terms.”

This transcript was made in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon

Minutes source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 500 – 504

To view or download the original handwritten pages for this date, click on the buttons below (2 parts):

[volume 7 page] 500

Vancouver March 22nd 1897.

The Council met on Monday March 22nd 1897.

Present – His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Neelands, McQueen, McPhaiden, Clandenning, brown, W.S. MacDonald and D.G. McDonald.

The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications

From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed

From E. Nicoll asking the Council to erect a clock in some conspicuous place in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Referred to the Finance Committee

From the “Province” asking for a share of the City’s Advertising

Resolved that they be informed that the contract has been awarded for the years tenders having been invited

From John Meytyer asking for a Music Hall License
Referred to the Police Committee

From W.L. Tait etal asking for the opening up of 3rd Avenue to English Bay
Referred to the Board of Works

The following Reports were received and read:-

Board of Works

The Board of Works met on Thursday March 18th 1897
Present – the full Board

Communications

From N.C. Schou, Reeve, Burnaby re enforcement of the Wide Fire Act (Wild Fire?)
Laid over one week

[volume 7 page] 501

From the City Solicitor in reference to the laying of Cinder tracks for the use of bicyclists.
Resolved that a copy of the letter be sent by the City Clerk to the Bicycle Club,

Resolved that the Finance Committee be requested to place a further sum of $5,000 at the credit of the Board of Works for current expenses pending the estimates

sgd A.J. Painter
Chairman

Moved by Alderman W.S. MacDonald
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met on Friday March 19th 1897.
Present – the full Board

The following account was recommended for payment:-

News.Advertiser Supplies $71.12

Communications

From the City Auditor furnishing Report for February
Filed

From the Board of Works asking for a grant of $5000 pending the estimates.
Granted

From Mrs. E. Campbell asking that she and her four children be sent to Ripley, Ont.
Laid over until the Clerk ascertains what tickets can be bought for.

sgd Jas McQueen
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

[volume 7 page] 502

Health Committee

The Health Committee met on Wednesday March 17th 1897.

Present – Aldermen McPhaiden, Painter, Neelands and MacDonald.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

M. S. Rose Plumbing $34.40

Dominion Fish Co Supplies 6.45

J. C. Woodrow “ 46.55

J. Dodson “ 13.05

J. Stevens & Son “ 3.85

F. Ellison “ 55.49

Thorpe & Co “ 1.25

C.S. Philp “ 14.78

J. English Labor 3.00

Wm Ralph Supplies 5.75

Cleeve Canning Co “ 2.25

Evans Coleman & Evans “ 19.85

Davidson Bros Repairs 2.

Dr Poole Post Mortem 15.

James Stark Supplies 8.10

Thos Dunn & Co “ 4.54

Ivan Bushing Electrical work 49.25

Wm Summer & son Labor 4.50

News. Advertiser Supplies 8.75

Gross & Fulton Drayage 2.00

Communications

From Miss Macfie reporting that she had engaged Miss K. Cao as Nurse on Feb 10th at $10.00 per month in place of Miss Spence, resigned.

Resolved that the appointment be confirmed.

From the Rev. E. D. McLaren reporting a case of sickness and destitution in the Seaman’s Home.
Filed

From the Rev E. D. McLaren asking for help for Mrs Cochrane, Mount Pleasant in her confinement.

Resolved that the sum of $15.00 be paid to

[volume 7 page] 503

Dr. Brydone-Jack for attending Mrs Cochrane in her confinement and that $10.00 be paid to a nurse to attend to her.

From Dr. Thomas asking for an increase of salary.
Laid over for Estimates

From Dr. Thomas, Medical Health Officer recommending the destruction of the shacks situate on the following lots:-

Lot 25 Block 18.D.L.196 Owner Edwin Johnson

Row of 2 shacks 26 ft 6 in long by 13 ft 9 in wide Lot 26 Block 15

Lot 27. Block 15 D.L. 196 Row of 4 shacks 54 ft 3 in long by 20 ft wide and 3 foul privies

Lot 25 Block 15 D.L.196 owner Jonathan Miller Row of 7 shacks 64 ft 3 in long x 12 ft wide & foul privy.

Lot 24. Block 15.196 owner N.G. Mook row of shacks 50 ft long x 20 ft wide and privies

Lot 33. Block 14 D.L. owner E.J. McFeeley row of 5 shacks 50 ft long x 19 ft wide also one shack 10 ft x 10 ft.

Lot 29.B. 14 196, owner A. Gilmore row of 3 shacks 52 ½ ft long x. 12 ft wide and two privies. Lot 27 Block 16, 196, owner G.E. Johnson, single shack 15 ft long x 12 ft. wide with lean to , also foul privy on Princess St

Resolved that the above buildings be destroyed in the usual way.

Resolved that the matron of the City Hospital be requested to furnish a report of the number of patients admitted during the year, the time each were in and the number remaining at the end of the year.

Sgd D McPhaiden
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Neelands
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.

[volume 7 page] 504

Motions

Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ W.S. MacDonald
Whereas filth and drainage matter has been allowed to accumulated under the buildings situate on Lots 24 to 28 inclusive in Block 15 D.L.196 also on Lots 29 to 28 inclusive in Block 15, D.L. 196 also on Lots 29 and 33, Block 14. D.L. 196; also on “lot” 27 Block 16. D.L. 196 so as to become a nuisance and dangerous to the Public Health, the Mayor and Council of the City of Vancouver do hereby declare the said buildings and filth thereunder to be a nuisance and dangerous to the Public Health And do hereby order that the owners, agents of the owners or the occupiers of the said buildings shall place the same in a proper sanitary condition and remove the filth from under said buildings, and on default of their doing so within eight days from the 1st day of April 1897 the said owners agents of owners or occupants shall remove and pull down the said buildings before the 15th day of April 1897 and in default of their so removing and pulling down the said buildings as herein ordered it is hereby ordered and directed that John H. Carlisle, the Chief of the Fire Brigade of the said City shall destroy and remove the said buildings

That the City Clerk be instructed to send a Copy of this resolution to each owner of the buildings in question and to the occupants of the shacks.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by “ W.S. MacDonald
That the matter of sending Mrs E. Campbell and Children to Ontario be left in the hands of the Mayor. Chairman of Finance and City Clerk to arrange and purchase tickets on the best terms obtainable.
Carried

The Council then adjourned.

W Templeton
Mayor

Thos F McGuigan.
City Clerk.