The Board of Works reported that “the South Park (now Clark Park on Commercial Drive between 14th and 15th Avenues) is to be seeded at once”, and that Robson Street cannot “at present” to be made to open onto “the Park” (Stanley Park). The continuing disagreement about the hiring of Mr. Tracy as Chief Engineer was set aside for one week.
This transcript was made in 2016 by Transcribimus volunteer Chris Mizzoni
and sponsored by Arnold Silber
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 4 page 324 – 330
[volume 4 page 324]
Vancouver May 11th 1891
The Council met on Monday May 11th 1891 at 8 P.M.
Present His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Brighouse, Carroll, Scoullar, Godfrey, Brown, McDowell, Templeton, Hobson, Doering and DePencier.
The Minutes of last regular and special meetings were read and adopted.
The following communications were received and read:
From William Wood etal [sic] requesting that 8th Av be graded from Prince Edward St. east four blocks.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From H.W. Keith informing Council that the Telephone Co. would allow a reduction of $1.00 on the City’s Telephone account except for the Instrument at the Cemetery.
Referred to the Finance Committee
From J.M. Browning asking that 4th & 6th Avs from Centre Street to Cedar Street be graded.
Referred to Board of Works.
From Samuel H. Longley of Boston offering to write up the features of this section of the Country.
Referred to Finance Committee
From Geo Eldon asking for the grading of Alberni Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Wm. MacDonald asking the Council to remove rubbish deposited on his Lot on Hastings Street East.
Referred to the Board of Works
[volume 4 page 325]
From G.W. Thomas stating that the Market Scales had been tested and found correct in every particular.
Filed
From the Market Clerk furnishing his Weekly Report.
Filed
From W. P. West asking for an increase of Salary.
Referred to the Police Committee.
From John Devine asking for the improvement of Princess Street from Carl Av east.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Chas. Hay et al requesting Council to grade and sidewalk Thurlow St from Haro Street to Beach Av.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From the Chief of Police furnishing his weekly report on the street lights.
Filed
From A.J. Ryan drawing the attention of the Council to the remarks made by the Supreme Court Judges on the Judgements of the Police Magistrate.
Referred to the Police Committee.
The following reports were received and read:
Finance No. 13.
The Finance Committee met on Friday May 8th 1891.
Present, Aldermen Brown, Doering and Scoullar.
The Minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted.
[volume 4 page 326]
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
That the bill of the World Printing and Publishing Co for advertising re City Engineer and Staff be not paid.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
That the bill of H. W. Suckling for engrossing and illuminating an address to Captain Marshall of the S.S. Empress of India be referred to the Celebration Committee for payment, the Council having granted $150.00 to that committee for addresses etc.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
McPhillips & Williams Law costs $68.76
Thomson Bros Stationery 5.25
Palmer Bros Fuel 28.00
Communications
From A. St. Geo Hamersley urging the necessity of having the City By-Laws revised and that greater care be taken before informations are laid and corrections recorded.
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
That the City Solicitor be instructed to proceed at once with the revision of the By-Laws.
From Miss C.F. Davies G. Humber & H. Millard asking for the positions of Shorthand and type writer.
Resolved.
That the selection of a short hand and type writer be left in the hands of the City’s Arbitrator in the matter of the Water Works
Arbitration
The Estimates for the year were submitted and laid over for further consideration.
Sgd Wm. Brown, Chairman
[volume 4 pg 327]
Moved by Alderman Doering
Seconded by “ Brighouse
That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted.
Carried
Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday May 7th 1891.
Present Aldermen Brighouse, Brown, Templeton, Godfrey and DePencier.
It was recommended:
1 That permission cannot be granted to A.W. Sullivan to remove the frame building standing on Lot 10, Block 2, O.G.T. 2 to Lot 6, Block 2, O.G.T. 2.
2 That contractors erecting derricks guy ropes etc. hereafter be required to satisfy the City Engineer that they have communicated with the Telephone Co. and other Companies before being allowed to erect such derricks etc. as requested by Mr. G. W. Hobson on behalf of the Underwriters.
3 That the City Engineer and Street Inspector made the necessary arrangements for the floats etc. requisite for the delivery of gravel, rock etc. for City purposes.
4 That the Band be notified to send a representative to the next meeting of the Board to discuss the matter of a Stand etc.
5 That in accordance with the agreement between E.J. Clark of Toronto and the City of Vancouver that the South Park be seeded as soon as possible under the direction of the Street Inspector.
6 That the City Engineer be instructed to have the necessary elbows for piping and loose pulleys for shafting and also necessary lead provided for Dr. Kendall, the Stone Contractor and also any additional pipe required.
7 That the City Engineer examine into the necessity for a sidewalk on Homer Street from Helmcken to Davie and on Helmcken from Richards to Homer.
[volume 4 page 328]
8 That the City Clerk be instructed to telegraph to G.E. Corbould Esq M.P. Ottawa asking him to look after the City’s interests before the Railway Committee regarding the use of streets as shunting grounds by the Railway Co.
9 That the City Clerk be instructed to write to the Public Works Department at Ottawa in reference to the Bridge and Draw across False Creek at Cambie Street, asking what decision has been arrived at in regard to its construction.
10 That the various companies who erected the poles on the streets and now not in use be requested to have same removed at once or the City will be obliged to take steps to remove same at owners expense.
11 That the City Engineer consult with the City Solicitor in regard to the expropriation of certain lots on Powell Street.
12 That the Street Inspector be instructed to see that a soft spot on Harris Street is filled up.
13 That the City Engineer give the contractor on Victoria Street the lines where not already given.
14 That the following accounts be paid:
H.A. Berry & Co.Draying $21.00
Queen Bros Hack hire 10.00
J.P. Lawson Car fares 3.10
G.F. Slater Lumber 143.17
15 That the account of $225.00 for the Cambie Street Swing bridge be paid over funding the furnishing to the City of all details and specifications.
16 That Robson Street cannot at present be opened to the Park as requested by A.J. Dana et al.
Communications received from J.J. Blake re Telegraph & Delivery Company. L.H. Mershon re 8th Av. and the City Solicitor re a certified copy of the official plans of the City were laid over.
[volume 4 page 329]
The City Engineer was instructed to examine and report upon the petitions of R. Smith et al re Ninth Av & from W.C. Muir re street filling
sgd. S. Brighouse
Moved by Alderman Godfrey.
Seconded by “ McDowell.
That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried
Introduction of By-Laws
Alderman Carroll introduced a by-law to establish rules and regulation for the Cemetery which was read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Godfrey
Seconded by “ DePencier
That the account of H. W. Suckling for preparing an address to the Captain of the S.S. Empress of India amounting to $40.00 be paid.
Carried
Ayes, Brighouse, Scoullar, Godfrey, Hobson, Doering, DePencier
Nays, Carroll, Brown, Templeton and McDowell
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by “ McDowell.
That the appointment of J.H. Tracy C. E. of London, Ont. as Chief Engineer for this City be made unanimous and that he be notified of such action at once.
Moved by Alderman Templeton
Seconded by “ Brighouse
That the Council go into Committee of whole to discuss the motion with Alderman Scoullar in his Chair.
The Mayor ruled the motion out of order.
[volume 4 page 330]
Moved in amendment by Alderman Hobson
Seconded by Alderman Doering
That the motion be laid over for one week.
The Mover and Seconder finally agreed to allow the motion to stand over for one week
Moved by Alderman McDowell
Seconded by “ Carrall
That the following accounts be paid:
B. Romang et al Labor $117.70
B. Hungerford “ $48.00
E. Kingcombe “ $44.00
J. Romang “ $54.00
D.J. McPhalen Market exit $253.00
Carried
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Templeton.
That the following account be paid:
Hugh Findlay adjusting City Scales $5.50
Carried
The Council then adjourned
D. Oppenheimer
Mayor
Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk
