Fire alarm boxes ordered by the City and shipped from San Francisco have been confiscated by Customs. City authorizes $1,140.50 in customs be paid to release the shipment. Board of Health has mediated a dispute regarding a tannery proposed by dry goods merchant Charles M. Strutt. Some prospective neighbours oppose it; others are “praying” that it be allowed.
This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland
and Joy Marie Vasquez
and sponsored by Arnold Silber
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 3 pages 333-339
[volume 3 page 333]
Vancouver March 24th 1890.
The Council met on Monday March 24th 1890.
Present His Worship, Mayor Oppenheimer and Aldermen Browning, Carroll, Garden, Horne, Fox, Sentell, Costello, McLeod, Mason and Doering.
The Minutes of last regular and special meetings were read and adopted.
Communications
From the City Solicitor advising that the Council could proceed with the contract with Messrs McDonald and Barton for the improvement of the Hastings Park. Filed.
From the City Solicitor advising Council in the matter of J. M. Stewart, ex Chief of Police. Filed.
From Isaac H. Hallett accepting the position of Police Magistrate under the conditions passed by Council. Filed.
From the Hackmen of the City requesting the Council to appoint a Committee to confer with them in the matter of rates. Referred to Police Committee.
From the City Solicitor advising the Council to have a report made on the present Water Works System to ascertain if it would be in the interest of the City to purchase it or not. Referred to the Water Works Committee.
From Ellis & Co. Toronto offering to sell the City a clock. Referred to the Board of Works.
[volume 3 page 334]
From F. S. Timberlake et al praying Council to open up a Street between the District Lots 183 and 184 thence west on Ninth Avenue to Westminster Avenue. Referred to the Board of Works.
From Phillip Mager on the subject of Boulevarding. Referred to the Board of Works.
From D. Oppenheimer, President of the Vancouver Improvement Company notifying the Council that a deed was being prepared for Block 47, District Lot 181. Referred to Sugar Refinery Committee.
From A. O. Leask et al praying for the improvement of Bute Street. Referred to the Board of Works.
From J. F. Galbraith et al praying for the improvement of Thurlow Street. Referred to the Board of Works.
From M. J. Henry et al praying Council to allow of the tannery being erected in the place selected by Mr. Strutt. Referred to Board of Health.
From J. H. Carlisle et al praying for the improvement of Robson Street. Referred to Board of Works.
From Chas. H. Strutt asking for a free site for the Tannery. Referred to B. of Health.
Reports
Works No 8
The Board of Works met on Thursday
[volume 3 page 335]
March 20th 1890. Present Aldermen Horne, Browning, Sentell and Costello.
We beg to recommend:
1. That the Y. M. C. A. be allowed to extend their basement ten feet into Hastings Street below the level of the sidewalk subject however to the superintendence and approval of the City Engineer.
2. That Westminster Avenue Bridge across False Creek be covered with 3 inch plank laid diagonally according to a plan prepared by the City Engineer and that tenders for the same be called for at once.
3. That in future all lenders for City Contracts must bear the actual signature of the parties proposed as sureties in the tender together with the number and district of their lots.
4. That A. & D. McDonald be awarded the contract for the construction of a basement drain on Cambie Street from the News Advertiser Office to Queen’s Stables.
5. Re the petition of Jos Dixon asking the Council to reduce the hours of labor to Corporation Laborers to nine hours a day.
In consideration of the work of the City being done almost entirely by contract this Committee does not consider it advisable to express any opinion regarding the hours of labor, it being a question to be dealt with by the contractors.
6. That a drain be constructed between Blocks 87 and 101 on 6th Avenue in 204A at a cost not to exceed $10.00.
[volume 3 page 336]
7. That the following accounts be paid:
A. Godfrey & Co. Nails 9.40
Vancouver Brick Co. 9.00
8. That the Chairman of the Board of Works be authorized to let at once the planking of Westminster Avenue Bridge over False Creek at a cost not to exceed $14.65 per M ft.
We herewith attach communication from the City Engineer showing how the inequality of the grade of the sidewalk on Cordova Street can be overcome.
Sgd., J. W. Horne, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Browning, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the Report of the Police Committee be adopted. Carried.
Health No 5
The Board of Health met on Friday March 21st 1890
Present Aldermen Mason, McLeod, Fox and Carroll.
We beg to recommend:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
Wm. Fowell, Milk $30.72
J. S. Clute & Co. Supplies 3.55
D. Bell, Ironing 5.00
W. J. Taylor, Burial 14.00
John Scuitto, Supplies 59.75
Hudson’s Bay Co. 8.25
P. P. Gendrian 14.50
Van Wfg & Stg Co 7.50
Crowder & Penzer 27.00
R. Mills 4.50
R. I. Winch 8.72
[volume 3 page 337]
Yick Lung, Washing $12.29
VanVolkenburgh & Bro 34.62
Chas. Nelson 52.85
2. The City Solicitor having advised this Board that Austin Buckwell was not legally entitled to any remuneration for clothing destroyed in quarantine by order of the Health Officer, we recommend that his claim be not entertained.
3. We have considered the petition of A. J. Alcock et al regarding the erection of a tannery and have taken steps to have the matter amicably adjusted.
4. That one thousand dollars be placed in the Estimates to be devoted towards the erection of a wing to the City Hospital, as suggested by Mrs. E. Salsbury.
The Estimates for the year have been prepared and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
Sgd., W. H. Mason, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Doering. That clause Four of the Report be struck out and that the balance of the Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance No 8
The Finance Committee met on Friday March 21, 1890.
Present Aldermen Browning, Garden and Costello.
We beg to recommend:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
[volume 3 page 338]
Stephen Green, Messenger $2.00
News Advertiser, Tax Books 40.20
2. Re the Fire Alarm Boxes
In the event of the apparatus being accepted by the City as satisfactory according to contract and upon receipt of a letter from Mr. McMicking requesting the City to pay said amount and charge same as a payment on account of his contract, we recommend that $1,140.50 be paid to the Customs Department.
The Minutes of the Board of Works and Board of Health were read and approved.
Sgd. J. M. Browning, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Horn, seconded by Alderman Browning. That the following labor account be paid:
P. Atkinson et al $165.20 Carried.
Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the tender of W. C. Muir for planking Westminster Avenue Bridge over False Creek be accepted at $13.15 per M ft, it being the lowest tender and regular in every respect. Carried.
[volume 3 page 339]
Moved by Alderman Browning, seconded by Alderman Costello. That a gratuity of $250.00 or an equivalent to three months’ salary be paid to Mr. M. A. MacLean upon his retiring from the office of Police Magistrate and that he be recommended for re-employment by the Council as soon as a vacancy occurs for which he may be considered qualified. Carried.
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Carroll. That the Park Commissioners By-Law be read a second time. Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read.
The Council went into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the By-Law with Alderman Horne in the Chair. After reading over several clauses the Committee rose and reported progress and asked Case to sit again.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Mason gave notice that he intended to introduce an Amendment to the Liquor License By-Laws at the next meeting of Council.
The Council then adjourned.
I. M. Browning, Chairman
Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk
