City of Vancouver work day reduced to nine hours – May 26, 1890

City of Vancouver work day reduced to nine hours – May 26, 1890

Labourers for the Corporation of the City of Vancouver’s work day reduced from ten to nine hours daily. The fountain donated to the City by the Foundry and Machine Shops to be located at the corner of Hastings and Carrall Streets, on the land given to the city by the CPR for that purpose.

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 404-414

[volume 3 page 404]

Vancouver May 26th 1890

The Council met on Monday, May 26th 1890 at 8 P.M.

Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Carroll, Garden, Horne, Fox, Sentell, Costello, McLeod, Doering and Mason.

The Minutes of last regular and special meetings were read and adopted.

Communications

From Wm. Hamilton, Fireman Fire Hall No 2, resigning his position and asking for an acknowledgement of his services. Referred to the F. W. & L. Committee.

From McPhillips & Williams asking for damages on account of J. H. McMillan for depreciation of property in the vicinity of Morgue. Referred to City Solicitor.

From Bewicke & Wulffsohn enclosing petition praying for a box drain on the lane South of Georgia St. between Howe & Hornby Streets. Referred to Board of Works.

From John Irving President Vancouver Water Works Coy, enclosing an invitation from the American Water Works Association to be present at their annual meeting in Chicago on May 20th 1890. Referred to Water Works Committee.

From the Secy Vancouver Water Works Coy acknowledging receipt of letter

[volume 3 page 405]

from the City Clerk requesting that Mr. Schussler be allowed every facility for testing the Water Works. Filed.

From Peter Atkinson et al Corporation laborers asking Council to reduce the hours of labor from 10 to 9 hours. Referred to Board of Works.

From Andrew C. Muir on behalf of M. G. McLean holding the City responsible for detention of wood cut on the cemetery grounds. Referred to City Solicitor.

From John Devine et al asking for a Street Light on the corner of Carl and Princess St. Referred to F. W. & L. Committee.

From Wm. Campbell, Manager San Juan Lime Coy, calling attention to the fact that the piece of land to be received by the Coy in exchange for that given to the Sugar Refinery Co. was not being raised to the level of the lime yard as stipulated and agreed upon. Referred to Sugar Refinery Committee.

From G. Shelton, et al praying that the lane in Block 2, 185 be opened up for traffic. Referred to Board of Works.

From Hanson Bros. Montreal asking for information as to population etc of Vancouver. City Clerk instructed to reply.

From Hanson Bros. confirming tenders sent by telegram. Filed.

[volume 3 page 406]

From Chas. A. Coldwell asking to be allowed part of the old plank on Westminster Avenue to lay a sidewalk on 8th Av. Referred to F. W. & L. Committee.

From J. A. Russell furnishing report of the Vancouver Free Reading Room. Filed.

From the City Solicitor giving opinion as to the City’s liability in the matter of Pat Carey’s cows. Filed.

From the City Engineer in reference to a change in the contract for the clearing of the Sugar Refinery Site. Referred to Sugar Refinery Committee.

From H. Abbott asking permission to use Donkey Engine on Columbia Avenue. Referred to Chairman of B of Works.

Reports

Works No 14

The Board of Works met on Thursday May 15th 1890.

Present Aldermen Browning, Horne, Sentell, Costello and Doering.

We beg to recommend:

1. That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a By-Law for the naming of Streets in Wards 4 & 5 in accordance with the advice given to Council.

2. That men be employed to repair 6th & 7th Aves.

3. That the fence around the hospital

[volume 3 page 407]

grounds be straightened and put on a true line.

4. That Burrard Street drain be continued from the lane to Melville Street about 130 feet.

5. That tenders be invited for the following works:

(a) Planking the hill on the cemetery road
(b) Grading Helmcken St from Richards to Homer
(c) Grading the lane in rear of the Leland from Seymour to Granville.
(d) Grading Bute Street full width from Georgia to Pendrell and six ft sidewalk thereon
(e) Box drain on Powell Street from Dunlevy to Campbell
(f) Grading etc of 13th Av from Westminster Road to the South End Park
(g) Grading etc of Dufferin Street from Westminster Av to Prince Edward Street & laying a 3 ft sidewalk thereon
(h) Grading etc of the South End Park
(i) Filling in Dunlevy Avenue in front of Secord’s Hotel
(j) Box drain on Howe Street North of Pender
(k) Grading Homer Street from Robson to Davie
(l) Grading Robson Street from Howe to Homer

6. That the following contracts be awarded:

Gravelling Streets, Boyd & Clandenning
Westminster Av. Sidewalk, W. C. Muir

7. That the following accounts be paid:

Geo Turner, Sidewalk $26.00 R.
C. P. Mills Coy, Lumber 42.21
W. C. Muir, Box drain 27.72
John Telford, Abbott St. drain 56.45
Henry Mattock, Hospital Grounds 30.00

8. That the Bunker matter be referred to the City Solicitor for his advice thereon.

Sgd. J. W. Horne, Chairman

[volume 3 page 408]

Moved by Alderman Sentell, seconded by Alderman Fox. That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.

F. W. & L. No 7

The F. W. & L. Committee met on Wednesday May 14th 1890.

Present Aldermen Fox, Carroll, Garden, and McLeod.

We beg to recommend:

1. That the following accounts be paid:

Creighton, Fraser & Co. Supplies $2.92
Van Electric Ill Coy 311.85
Van Water Works Coy 46.11
A. Godfrey & Co. .75
O’Toole & Ralph, Repairs 1.90
John Scuitto Supplies 4.35
McMillan & Hamilton, Polish 25.00
Crowder & Penzer, Supplies 33.25
Tye & Co. Supplies 18.49
H. McDowell & Co. Supplies 8.01
E. S. Scoullar & Co. Supplies 8.95
I. Forbes 5.00
Godfrey & Co. 13.03

2. That the question of payment for hydrants be laid over until some action is taken towards the purchase of the Vancouver Water Works and in the meantime that the City Solicitor be instructed to look into the Agreement entered into with the Company for the rent of the hydrants and give an opinion as to whether the City would be compelled to pay for hydrants which are not efficient for fire purposes.

3. That we agree to pay the Vancouver

[volume 3 page 409]

Water Works Company 60 cents per 1000 gallons for water used in Street Sprinkling, but that we cannot agree to furnish an extra man as the teamster employed under contract is considered competent to handle the hydrants.

4. That the extra horse at Fire Hall No 1 be sold at public auction on Tuesday the 27th inst at 12 o’clock noon.

5. That the Foreman at Fire Hall No 1 paid $55.00 per month and the Foreman at Fire Hall No 2, $50.00 per month.

6. That R. B. McMicking be paid $1644.50 the balance due him on the Fire Alarm System if when tested it is found satisfactory and up to contract and a guarantee given as per agreement.

7. That J. Cooper be appointed Engineer at Fire Hall No 2, on trial for one month in place of Wm. Hamilton, resigned and if he proves satisfactory that he be engaged permanently at $55.00 per month.

8. That Mr. Johnson be appointed ball man in place of Hector Stewart resigned.

Sgd. J. M. Fox, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Garden, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the Report of the F. W. & L. Committee be adopted. Carried.

Finance No 14

The Finance Committee met on Friday May 16th 1890.

[volume 3 page 410]

Present Aldermen Browning, Garden, Fox and Costello.

We beg to recommend:

1. That Hanson Bros. tender for the purchase of $30,000 worth of Sugar Refinery Site Debentures at $103.54 for every $100.00 worth of Debentures be accepted.

2. That $12.50 be paid to Mrs. Harris, Nurse to Mrs Valet, a woman sick and in needy circumstances provided the case is reported by the Chief of Police as being deserving of such aid.

3. That the Hospital Board be requested to furnish a list of the Instruments now in the hospital and when such list is furnished this Committee will be prepared to take action on the recommendation of the Board of Health in the matter of making a grant of $750 for Instruments.

Sgd. James F. Garden for Chairman

Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried.

Health No 8

The Health Committee met on Tuesday May 14th 1890 at 3 P.M.

Present Aldermen Fox, Horne and McLeod, Alderman Horne in the Chair.

We beg to recommend:

1. That $750.00 be placed at the disposal of the Medical Board for Instruments and appliances to be used in the hospital and that they order same at once.

[volume 3 page 411]

2. That in the opinion of this Committee the contractor furnishing drugs and medicines to the City Hospital has to furnish bottles or other containers without extra charge.

3. That in future the members of the medical Board be requested to mark plainly any such prescriptions that are not of an ordinary nature as is defined in the contract with the druggist.

4. That Charles Gibson, night nurse at the City Hospital be appointed Secretary of the Hospital in addition to his present duties, he to perform the duties prescribed in Rule 19 of the Code of Rules and Regulations governing the hospital and to see that all patients admitted that are able to pay do so in advance or furnish good security that they will do so before discharge from the hospital, and that his present salary be increased $5.00 per month.

5. That a Committee of the Council be appointed to make an early selection of a suitable site for the proposed crematory.

6. That Messrs McLennon & McFeely be awarded the contract for connecting Fire Hall No 1 with the public Sewers for the sum of $195.00

7. That the following accounts be paid:

W. J. Taylor, Burials $14.00
Union S. S. Co. Rent 7.50
Crowder & Penzer, Coal 27.00
Hudson’s Bay Co. Supplies 8.25
R. I. Winch Supplies 10.10
John Scuitto Supplies 44.68

[volume 3 page 412]
VanVolkenburgh & Bro. Supplies $36.88
P. P. Gendrean Scavengering 21.50
H. McDowell & Co. Drugs 21.42
D. W. Ellison, Milk 8.98
J. J. Tierney, Drayage 3.25
R. C. P. Mills Co. Lumber 10.00
Yick Lung, Washing 16.00

Sgd. W. H. Mason, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Garden. That clause 4, relating to Charles Gibson’s salary be referred back to the Finance Committee. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That the balance of the Report be adopted. Carried.

Motions

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the Fountain presented to this
Council by the Vancouver City Foundry and Machine Shops be located on the corner of Carrall and Hastings Streets on the piece of land given by the C.P.R. Coy to the City for that purpose and that the City Engineer be authorized to place said Fountain. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Costello. That His Worship, the Mayor call a Special Meeting of the License Board at the earliest possible day. Carried.

[volume 3 page 413]

Moved by Alderman Garden, seconded by Alderman Mason. That the following account be paid:

Deputy Returning Officers for Election on Loan By-Law etc $37.00 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Garden, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the following Estimates in connection with the clearing of the Sugar Refinery Site be paid:

Boyd & Clandenning $1,800.00 Murray & Fraser 890.50 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Costello. That the following labor accounts be paid:
P. Atkinson et al $114.15
Do 105.75
Boyd & Clandenning
Brockton Pt clearing 1,350.00 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman McLeod. That the prayer of Peter Atkinson et al, corporation Laborers praying that their hours of labor be reduced from 10 to 9 hrs be granted. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That the City Engineer be instructed to examine and report upon the painting of the Swing of the Granville Street Bridge. Carried.

[volume 3 page 414]

Consideration of By-Laws

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That the By-Law to raise a loan of $125,000 be read a third time. Carried.

The By-Law was accordingly read.

Notices of Motion

Alderman Carrall gave notice that at the next regular meeting of this Council he would move for a return of all correspondence, tenders, contracts and other papers relating to the clearing and other improvements of the Brockton Point Athletic Grounds and that the same be submitted to this Council; also that he would at the next regular meeting move a resolution that in all future contracts made and entered into by the Council for public works a clause shall be inserted to the effect that nine (9) hours shall be a day’s work for all mechanics and laborers employed on said contracts and that any violation of that stipulation shall nullify the contract and also that nine (9) hours shall constitute a day’s work for all mechanics and laborers hereafter employed by this Council.

The Council then adjourned.

D. Oppenheimer, Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk