This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer
Darrin Pezer / Proactive Building Maintenance
The Sanitary Inspector reported on the condition of Mount Pleasant School (pictured here). The Health Committee reported the urgent necessity for a Women’s Ward. A Mrs. Smith was injured falling off a sidewalk at 10th and Westminster (now Main Street). As the Western Electric Light, Heat and Power Company have failed in the terms of their contract, their $1000 bond will be kept and the contract terminated.
Illustration: COVA Sch P90
A class in front of Mount Pleasant School at 9th Avenue (Broadway) and Wesminster Road (Kingsway)
Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 7 pages 97 – 104
[Volume 7 page] 97
Vancouver March 23rd 1896
The Council met on Monday March 23rd 1896.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Painter, Shon, Banfield, Clandenning, McPhaiden, Brown, Bethune and Coldwell.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed
From James McDonald asking for repairs to sidewalk in front of the Empire Hotel, Water Street.
Referred to the Board of Works
From Thos. Smith stating that his wife was injured by falling off a sidewalk on the corner of Westminster Avenue and 10th Ave and stating that he would hold the City responsible for damages.
Referred to the City Solicitor
From M. D. McLennan asking for a bonus of $100 for running the Sunbury twice a week from Chilliwack to Vancouver.
Referred to the Market Committee
The following reports were received and read:
Light, Railway & Tramway Committee
The Light, Railway and Tramway Committee met on Tuesday March 17th 1896.
Present: the full Board
The following account was recommended for payment:
Con Ry & Light Co Street Lights $1536.80
[Volume 7 page] 98
Communications
From the City Solicitor advising that a resolution be passed by the Council forfeiting the $1000 cheque put up the Western Electric Light Heat and Power Co and declaring at an end and cancelling their agreement of the 28th of November 1895 and repealing By Law No 236 authorizing the Company to erect poles and wires in the City.
Resolved hat the Council be asked to pass the resolution as advised by the City Solicitor.
From F. S. Barnard, President Con Ry & L. Co offering to light the City for 10 years at 27 ½¢ per light per night.
Laid over
All petitions for street lighting were laid over.
Resolved that the sum of $19,559.50 be placed in the estimates for street lighting for the year.
Sgd J. Clandenning
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by “ Schon
That the report be adopted.
Carried
Special Committee
The Special Committee in connection with the Stanley Park Recreation Ground proposal begs to report to the Council favorably on the general features of the proposal, subject to the arrangement of satisfactory terms and conditions with the Park Commissioners and the consent of the Council also obtained to such conditions. And your Committee would recommend that the services of the City Engineer and his staff be placed at the disposal of the Park Commissioners with a view acting also in conjunction with the representatives of the Street Railway Co to prepare detail plans and submit a complete scheme in the matter for the consideration of the Council.
Sgd A. J. Painter
Chairman
[Volume 7 page] 99
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Banfield
That the report be adopted.
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday March 28, 1896.
Present: the full Board
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
G.W. Hutchings Supplies $1.00
News Advertisers “ 32.50
T. McHugh Repairs 10.
Communications
From the firm of McPhillips & Williams rendering their bill for legal services in connection with the Haywood case, the amount being $75.97.
Referred to the City Solicitor to have it taxed.
From McPhillips and Williams enclosing a general release of Haywood to the City.
Filed
From Archie Robinson submitting a bond duly executed.
Referred to the City Solicitor to examine to see if it is in proper form
Resolved that H.H. Spicer & Co be granted permission to construct a railway track across the street approaching Cambie Street Bridge from the North.
Sgd J.J. Banfield
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Brown
That the report be adopted.
Carried
[Volume 7 page] 100
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday March 20th 1896.
Present: the full Board
Mr. Frank Granville interviewed the Board in reference to the flow of dirty surface water onto his lots facing on Prior Street.
Referred to the Engineer to have the foreman put in a by-drain and fix it.
Resolved that the matter of providing a sewerage accommodation for the Cook-Twigge Block, Water Street be left in the City Engineer’s hands for attention.
Resolved that the chain gang be sent to do the following work in Ward 4 as soon as possible:
Stump out Grove Avenue to Prior Street
Also Carl Avenue from Prior Street to Harris Street.
Clear up a recreation ground at foot of Grove Crescent.
Communications
From G. W. DeBeck etal, asking for a sidewalk on Quebec Street between 14th & 16th Streets.
Laid over pending the estimates
From Aultman Company offering street sweepers etc.
Filed for reference
From Mrs. Creery complaining of smells arising from Beach Ave sewer.
Being attended to
From H. J. Cambie C. E. re clay & etc deposited on his boulevard on Alberni Street.
Referred to Ward Foreman for attention
In reference to the complaint of E. B. Harris re: being overtaxed under the local improvements By Law 51 ft 8 in frontage instead of 50 ft in was resolved that the Board recommend that the City Treasurer be instructed to remit to Mr. Harris the difference for what he was overcharged.
Resolved that the Ward Foreman fix the crossing at Robson & Seymore Streets.
Resolved that the Engineer have a plan prepared
[Volume 7 page] 101
and draw up a specifications for fixing the log culvert on Beach Avenue facing Block 71. 185 and call for tenders for the work.
Sgd H.P. Shaw
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Macdonald
Seconded by “ Shaw
That the report be adopted.
Carried
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday March 18th 1896.
Present: Aldermen McPhaiden, Banfield and Bethune.
Communications
From Mrs. A. Creery asking the City to contribute $5.00 a week for the support of Mrs. Rowe an inmate of St. Paul’s Hospital.
Resolved that she be informed that before the City will undertake to assume the responsibility of paying for patients either in St. Paul’s or any other hospital that each case must be reported to, and approved of by the Health Committee before the patient enters the hospital.
From Mrs. A. Creery complaining of noxious odors from the sewer pipe on Beach Avenue near the residence of Lacy R. Johnson.
Referred to the Engineer to examine and report on.
From Mr. A. G. Smith, Deputy Attorney General enclosing a copy of the verdict of the Coroner’s jury held upon the body of Joseph Wright. A rider was added to the verdict drawing the attention of the Board of Health to the unsanitary condition of the cabins which the body was found.
Matter attended to
From A. M. Robertson, Secretary of the
[Volume 7 page] 102
Medical Board of the City Hospital stating that there was pressing necessity for the establishment of a woman’s ward and that the old ward was entirely unfitted for that purpose and that a comprehensive plan be prepared and adopted and all future additions or alterations to the hospital be made in accordance therewith at.
Being attended to
From Miss Macfie, asking that the chain gang be sent to clear the manure off the hospital grounds and clear some stones away.
Resolved that the communication be handed to the Chairman of the Police Committee to be acted on as soon as possible.
From the Field Inspector furnishing report.
Filed
From the Health Inspector testifying to the sanitary condition of Mount Pleasant School and asking for streetcar tickets to enable him to travel rapidly from our part of the City to the other.
Report filed and request for tickets granted
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to prepare specifications for the repairs needed at the Crematory and that the City Clerk be instructed to call for tenders for having the work done.
Resolved that instead of the City erecting a house for the Crematory Caretaker that his salary be raised $5.00 per month and that provision be made in the estimates to cover such increase.
The estimates for the year were compiled and referred to the Finance Committee.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
John Willis Ticket to Nanaimo $2.00
W. J. McGuigan Inquest etc 15.
Champion & White Scavengering 3.25
G. Drysdale Supplies 2.90
[Volume 7 page] 103
McDowell & Co Supplies $24.45
John Bradley Drayage 1.
Alfred Poole Post-Mortem 10.
J. Dodson Supplies 10.60
Pioneer Steam Laundry Washing 43.03
Central Fish Market Supplies 7.62
C. Anderson “ 4.
Van Gas Co “ 1.10
C. F. Foreman “ 52.76
Crowder & Penzer “ 8.64
News Advertiser “ 22.50
C. F. Foreman “ 15.50
Crowder & Penzer “ 34.17
Weeks & Robson “ 8.65
McLennan & McFeely “ 6.95
F. Ellison “ 23.45
J. C. Woodrows “ 37.63
C. S. Philp “ 6.76
Wm Jenkins “ 5.00
Sgd D. McPhaiden
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Banfield
That the report be adopted
Carried
Consideration of By Law
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the Boulevard By Law.
Carried
The Mayor was appointed Chairman.
The By Law was read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete with amendments.
It was then read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman Banfield seconded by Alderman Clandenning.
[Volume 7 page] 104
Motions
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Bethune
That the following account be paid:
D. J. McPhalen, etal Repairs to Market Shed $102.70
Carried
Moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by “ Bethune
Whereas the Western Electric Light, Heat and Power Company have failed to deliver bonds to the City in pursuance of the bond entered into the said company on the 28th November 1895. The $1000 deposited under the said bond be hereby declared forfeited to the City as provided by the term of said bond.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by “ Bethune
That whereas the Western Electric Light, Heat and Power Company have failed in delivering bonds to the City in pursuance of the terms of their contract of the 28th November 1895 be it resolved that the City be no longer bound by the said contract and that notice be given to the company that the said contract is at an end.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by “ Brown
That By Law No 236 be repealed.
Carried
The Council then adjourned
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
