Monday June 3 1895 was declared a Vancouver half holiday in honour of the visit of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Also, the Chief of Police supplied his customary report on Vancouver’s electric lights. The report must have been unsatisfactory, as Council upheld the Fire Water and Light Committee’s recommendation that the City not continue its lighting arrangement with the Consolidated Railway & Light Company.
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer
Darrin Pezer/Proactive Building Maintenance
illustration: clipping from the Vancouver Daily World
May 28, 1895, page 4
original handwritten minutes:
City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 6 pages 587-597
to see these original handwritten minutes, click here
[Volume 6 page] 587
Vancouver May 27th 1895
The Council met on Monday May 27th 1895 at 8 P.M.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor, and Aldermen Shaw, Coupland, Gallagher, Queen, McPhaiden, Wm Brown, Thomas, Bethune and W.P. Brown.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed
From C. Charlston etal asking the Council to take into consideration the stoppage of store breaking in Ward 5.
Filed
From H. Abbott asking that a pipe be laid down and a hydrant placed at the east end of the company’s local freight shed.
Referred to the Water & Light Committee
From the Chief of Police reporting the periods when the officer got leave of absence in 1894.
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the matter be referred back to the Chief of Police for more definite information, such information to be furnished to the Committee on Tuesday night.
Carried
From the City Treasurer furnishing report of monies received for infraction of liquor
[Volume 6 page] 588
license By Laws etc.
Moved by Alderman Wm Brown
Seconded by “ W. P. Brown
That the report be referred to the Police Investigation Committee
Carried
From C. B. Lockhart, Secretary of the Knights of Pythias asking the Mayor to proclaim Monday the 3rd of June a half holiday in honour of the visit of the Grand Lodge
Moved by Alderman Thomas
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the petition be granted
Carried
Water & Light Committee
The Water & Light Committee met on Wednesday May 22nd 1895.
Present: Aldermen Brown, Gallagher, Bethune and Coupland.
Messrs Crary & Hartley waited on the committee asking to have a water pipe on Beach Avenue connected with pipe at Mr. Godfrey’s house on Nicola Street.
Resolved that if they purchase the pipe that the City will lay it and refund them the amount of water rates.
The Committee do not see their way clear to laying pipe for Messrs Boardman etal as street is not graded and there is a ravine to cross.
Communications
From Oppenheimer etal asking that the
[Volume 6 page] 589
Committee to pay men employed on reservoir.
Filed
From E. H. Heaps & Co asking to have 2” pipe extended to their mill on Powell Street.
Referred to the City Engineer
The following tender was received from J. B. McGhie & Co for the completion of the reservoir
Cement Work $6557
Clearing etc 900
It was resolved to complete the reservoir by day labor.
The following tender was received by D. Mc Gillivray for the shore ends of the new submerged main:
12” No 8. B. W. G. Steel Pipe $1.75 per ft
22” “ 8 “ “ “ 2.15 “ “
2 T’s 16” off 16 “ “ 45.00 “ “
2 “ 16” off 22 “ “ 50.00 “ “
2 Y’s 18 x 12 of 22 “ “ 55.
It was resolved that the tender be accepted.
It was resolved to call for tenders for laying the new submerged main across the narrows tenders to be in by Tuesday June 18th at 4 o’clock.
The Committee recommended that the Consolidated Railway & Light Company be notified that unless fresh arrangements for street lighting are made before the first of June that the City refuse to continue the lighting.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Cassady & Co Supplies $5.90
News Advertiser Ads 31.70
M.J. James Supplies 6.80
Evans, Coleman & Evans “ 9.00
B.C. Iron Works Co “ 6272.03
[Volume 6 page] 590
Tug Swan & Owners Towing etc $35.50
A. Linton Boat Hire 14.50
Hooper etal Labor 445.75
Sgd Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Wm Brown
Seconded by “ Bethune
That the report be adopted
Carried
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Tuesday May 21st 1895.
Present: Aldermen Shaw, Queen McPhaiden & Thomas
Resolved
That the Consolidated Railway & Light Co pay $4239.40 to the City for the rails etc to be laid on Granville Street. The City to pay McGillivray $2245 and obtain a receipt in full, the company taking over the McGillivray contract for the construction of the track.
That the company send to the Board of Works by Thursday the 23rd wish a detailed statement of the amount of the contract and tenders for construction of Robson Street track and cost of materials and that the statement and estimate of the laying be annexed to the contract of 30th April 1895.
Sgd H. P. Shaw
Chairman
The Board of Works met on May 23rd 1895
Present Aldermen Shaw, W.P. Brown, McPhaiden, Queen and Thomas.
Communications
From W. Avison asking permission to put
[Volume 6 page] 591
up a sign at the sidewalk near Hardman’s Picture Gallery
Referred to the By Law governing the matter.
From Abray & Wellington asking for a better sidewalk at the Cosmopolitan.
Resolved that a dressed sidewalk be put down.
From W. C. Macey stating that he had met with an accident while crossing Granville Street bridge owing to the defective state of the sidewalk and that he would hold the City liable.
Referred to the City Solicitor
From C. M. Beecher re the grading of Boundary Avenue to Hastings Mill.
Referred to the Alderman for the Ward and the engineer to look into and report.
From the Harbor Master and Health Inspector re drainage on Seaton Street.
Resolved that the Health Inspector be requested to notify the owners of building to extend their drains to low water mark.
From R. Cosgrove etal asking to have Pendrell Street graded full width from Thurlow to Bute.
Referred to the Ward Foreman to fix the street sufficiently to make it passable.
From G.B. Harris asking permission to change the roof on a shed in rear of Goldstein Dep Store.
Request Granted
Petition for improvements of 11th & 12th avenues were laid over.
Resolved that the Engineer for the Street Ry Co be requested to send the tender for the Robson Street extension.
Moved by Alderman Thomas
Seconded by “ W.P. Brown
That the City Engineer and accountant be
[Volume 6 page] 592
requested to check the statement of Ward expenditures for the next meeting of the Board.
Resolved that the accountant be requested to furnish a statement at the next meeting of the Board of Works showing the expenditure and liabilities to the latest date possible fro the beginning of the year for all street improvements, rock etc, and also the appropriation for same.
Resolved that the Board submitted by J.M. Browning for cement walk corner Dunsmuir and Granville Streets be approved.
Resolved that the City pay Dr. Kendall for the Rock lost in False Creek and Dr. Kendall and W. S. Cook be informed that the bills of cost for repairs to scow etc etc must be settled between them, as a advised by the City Solicitor.
The following tenders were received and opined:
Dundas Street Grading
D. Gibbons $360
C.L. Brown 589
Smithe Street 6 ft walk J.W. Fraser 16 ½ c per foot
Bute Street 6 ft “ do 16 ¼ c “ “
Dunlevy Ave “ “ “ do 16 “ “
Burrard Street Grading D. Gibbons $187
“ “ “ Bay Clandering 324
“ “ “ A.W. McDonald 300
“ “ “ Balkwell & Leatherdale 300
Resolved that the following be recommended for acceptance:
Dundas Street D. Gibbons
Smithe Street J.W. Fraser
Bute Street do
Dunlevy Ave do
Burrard Street D. Gibbons
[Volume 6 page] 593
Resolved that the tenders for the sewer in D. L. 185 and filling in on Westminster Avenue be called again, the Engineer being requested to reduce the work so as to keep these works within the estimates.
Resolved that tenders be called up to 4 P. M. on Thursday next on 30th next for the following new work.
(1) Grove Crescent falling in and opening street from Grove Street to Prior Street one block.
(2) 9th Av, 6ft sidewalk on South side 1 ½ blocks from Ontario Street.
(3) 3rd Av, 3 plank walk 1100 ft from Centre Street.
(4) Sewer in 185 (amended profile).
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
W.S. Cook Delivering Crushed Rock $274.14
W.H. Kendall “ 1715.32
J.W. Fraser Comox Street 21.62
A.W. McDonald Barclay “ 48.81
Martin Kelly Curb 356.30
News Advertiser Ads 8.00
D. McGillivray Rails etc 4776.17
Van Hardware Store 58.70
Evans, Coleman & Evans Supplies 1.60
Thos Dunn & Co “ 265.78
E. Clough “ 1.50
Con Ry & L Co “ 5.00
J. Burrell “ 3.00
E. Denton etal Labor 1090.80
J.M. Browning Sidewalk 147.00
Sgd H.P. Shaw
Chairman
[Volume 6 page] 594
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the clause in reference to the payment of the rock dumped in False Creek be referred back to the Committee and that W.S. Cook be notified to be present at their next meeting.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by “ Thomas
That the report as amended be adopted
Carried
Introduction of By Laws
Moved by Alderman Wm Brown
Seconded by “ Gallagher
That the By Law to regulate wash houses be read a first time.
Carried
Motions
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Thomas
That the time for receiving tenders on the electric lighting be extended to the 8th of June.
Lost
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That in case satisfactory arrangements are not made with the Consolidated Railway and Light Co by June 15th that the City Clerk be instructed to notify them to turn off the street lights.
Withdrawn
[Volume 6 page] 595
Moved by Alderman Queen
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the following account be paid
H. Henderson Salary $60.00
Carried
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Wm Brown
That the City Engineer be instructed to report on the real property; and the measurement thereof that will be benefitted by laying down permanent pavement of either block or bitumous rock on Carrall Street from the present bitumous rock pavement to the approach to the Union Steam Ship Company’s wharf and on Powell Street from Carrall Street to Scuitto’s Corner and on Alexander Street from Carrall Street to Scuitto’s Corner, and the rock laying the same and the proportions in which the assessment is to be made on the portion of real estate benefitted in order that two thirds of the said cost shall be assessed and levied on the real property on the said proposed improvements.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the salary of all the employees (except Mr. Boultbee) who get $75.00 be reduced 5 per cent.
Lost
Yeas. Aldermen Coupland, Gallagher, and Queen
Nays. “ Shaw, McPhaiden, Wm Brown, Thomas, Bethune, and W.P. Brown.
[Volume 6 page] 596
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the salary of all the employees who get $125.00 be reduced 12%
Lost
Yeas. Aldermen Coupland, Gallagher & Queen
Nays. “ Shaw, McPhaiden, Wm Brown, Thomas, W.P. Brown and Bethune
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the salaries of all the employees who get from $75 to $100 be reduced 10 per cent
Lost
Ayes. Aldermen Coupland, Gallagher & Queen
Nays. “ Shaw, McPhaiden, Wm Brown, Thomas, Bethune & W.P. Brown
Moved by Alderman Gallagher
Seconded by “ Coupland
That the salary of all employees who get more than $125.00 per month be reduced 15 per cent.
Lost
Ayes. Alderman Coupland, Gallagher & Queen
Nays. “ Shaw, McPhaiden, Wm Brown, Thomas, Bethune and W.P. Brown
Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by “ Wm Brown
That the City Clerk instruct Mr. McGillivray and Boyd & Clandening to use their endeavors to employ only citizens, and ratepayers on their present contracts.
Carried
[Volume 6 page] 597
Consideration of By Laws
Moved by Alderman Wm Brown
Seconded by “ Bethune
That the rules be suspended and the Wash House By Law be read a second time.
Carried
Notice of Motion
Alderman Shaw gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that $1000 be granted for sports on the 1st of July.
Alderman Wm Brown gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would introduce a by law to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors between the hours of 11 pm on Saturday and 6 am on Mondays and between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am on all other days.
The council then adjourned
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos McGuigan
City Clerk
