A new bylaw was introduced to widen Pender Street at Burrard Street. Sam Brighouse’s property at Pender and Burrard was bought for $1,000. Photo shows southeast corner of Pender and Burrard nine years later, in 1906.
This transcript was made by Transcribimus volunteer Lynn Shane in August of 2022.
Illustration Source: City of Vancouver Archives
Item : Str P137 – [Exterior of the Charleson Block on the southeast corner of Pender Street and Burrard Street]
Text Source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 598 -605
To see or download photos of the original handwritten pages this transcript was made from, click on the buttons below (2 parts)
[Volume 7 page] 598
Vancouver May 31st, 1897
The Council met on Monday May 31st 1897
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, McQueen, Neelands, Clandenning, Brown, W.S. MacDonald, D.G. McDonald and Coldwell.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed.
From Bell and Flett calling attention to the Scaffolding on Hastings Street at the Metro Johnston Club building and asking for its removal.
Moved by Alderman Brown.
Seconded by D.G McDonald
That the obstruction by scaffolding on Hastings Street between Homer and Hamilton Streets is a serious detriment to business, the City Clerk is hereby instructed to call the attention of the parties responsible to have the obstruction removed with as little delay as possible.
Carried.
From J. Barrett etal asking for a sidewalk on Keefer Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From W.G. Tretheway asking for improvements on 7th Av Fairview
Referred to the Board of Works
From Miss Macfie stating that Chas Philp has not filled her order for strawberries and cucumbers.
Referred to the Board of Health.
From W.A. Campbell calling attention to the unsanitary conditions of an old tank [open ditch – per Daily News Advertiser, Tuesday June 1, 1897, p.5]
[Vol. 7 page] 599
on Prior Street near Park Lane
Referred to the Board of Works.
From J.O. Flynn etal asking that Cedar Street be opened up.
Referred to the Board of Works
From James Webster asking that the stone water trough now lying on Granville Street be placed in position on the corner of Drake and Granville Streets.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From J. Greasley etal asking that the City water be extended to the Cemetery.
Referred to the Water Committee.
From D. Oppenheimer thanking the Mayor for his telegram of condolence on the death of his wife.
Filed.
From S. Brighouse offering to sell the piece of land required by the City at the corner of Pender and Burrard Streets for $1000.
Filed.
From Alex Prefontaine etal asking for water to their property near the Park.
Referred to the Water Committee.
From E.J. McFeely asking for the temporary suspension of the Fire Limit By-law on Lot 33, Block 14, D.L. 196.
Referred to the Works & Health.
The following Reports were received and read:
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday May 26th 1897.
Present: the full Board.
Communication from D.M. Stewart asking for a rate of 10¢ per 100 cubic feet
[Vol. 7 page] 600
for the Steam Laundry till the end of the year.
Resolved that Mr. Stewart be given the rate of 10¢ per 100 cubic feet till the end of the present year.
The following tenders for alterations to the Market Shed were received:
D.M. Fraser & Co. $393.
D.J. McPhalen 494.
It was resolved to accept D.M. Fraser’s tender of $393.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
G.W. Fuller Plastering $19.80
Armstrong & Morrison Contract 2817.37
Vancouver City Ironworks [Sleeves] 23.32
McLennon & McFeely Supplies 8.02
B.C. Iron Works “ 991.65
B.C. Electric Ry. Co. “ 5.
News. Advertiser “ 4.74
Pay Roll Labor 783.35
Sgd Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown.
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted with the exception of the clause in reference to the awarding of the contract for repairs to the Market Shed.
Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on the 7th of May, 1897.
Present: the full Board.
Communications
From Davis Marshall, MacNeill and Abbott in reference to the City drain flooding Messrs. Thompson’s premises corner of Howe & Pender Streets and putting in a claim for $111.
Referred to the City Solicitor.
[Vol. 7 page] 601
From Ng Mook asking permission to remove a frame building from Lot 28. Block 15. 196 to Lot 24, Block 15, 196. Dupont Street, also from E. Johnson, the owner of the lot on which the present building stands asking that permission be not granted until he can come to terms.
Application to move building refused.
From the Secretary of the Bicycle Club asking that Pender Street be rolled.
Referred to the Engineer to have the loose stones rolled off.
Resolved that the Chief of Police be instructed to notify the parties who have built fences on Thurlow Street beyond the street line near both Haro and Nelson Streets that they must remove them as they are encroaching where the boulevard must come.
Resolved that Angus Fraser, the contractor for the 12 ft. sidewalk on Westminster Avenue be asked if he is willing to put similar 12 ft. sidewalking on the opposite side of Westminster Avenue from Barnard to Hastings Street in Ward 4 and also on both sides from Powell to Hastings on Westminster Avenue in Ward 3 at the same price namely 33 ½ ¢ per ft., and if so to commence without delay. If he does not accept then tenders to be called.
Resolved that the General Superintendent of the C.P.R. Co. be asked for an answer in writing stating whether they would hold the City responsible if any damage were done to their track in the event of the flood gate being put in under the trestle opposite Water Street between Carrall and Abbott Streets.
The question of street watering was discussed but laid over.
The question of the delivery of crushed
[Vol. 7 page] 602
rock was discussed but laid over.
The foreman for Ward 5 was instructed to lay a short walk on Grant St. and do some grading on 5th Av. under Engineer’s instructions.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Angus Fraser Westminster Av. $412.19
Thos. Gibbons Georgia Street 300.
S. Elkins etal Labor 710.30
Sgd. A.J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Neelands
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday May 28th 1897.
Present: the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
C. Tetley Balance of Salary $25.00
W.E Johnstone Clerical Work 60.00
Communications
From Capilano Joe asking that provision be made for a landing at the foot of Abbott Street.
Resolved that he be informed that the City has no power to construct a landing at the point mentioned.
From F. R. Glover, City Clerk New Westminster asking the City to join with the other municipalities in celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee by lighting a bonfire on the highest point in each place.
Resolved that he be informed that by the terms of our Fire By-Law, all burning of the nature mentioned is prohibited during the dry season.
[Volume 7 page] 603
From Peter Schneider asking that his wood Contract be transferred to A. Desroches who will furnish James Webster and C. Giguerre as his bondsmen.
Resolved that his request be granted, provided the bondsmen are found satisfactory by the City Solicitor.
Resolved that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a By-Law for the expropriation of a portion of the lots on the S.E. corner of Pender and Burrard Streets for submission to Council on Monday next.
Sgd. Jas McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Painter.
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Introduction of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by. “ Neelands.
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the introduction of a By-Law to provide for the widening of Pender St. at its junction with Burrard Street.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly introduced and read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by. “ Clandenning.
That the By-Law to amend By-Law No. 142 be read a first time.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by. “ Clandenning.
That a By-Law be introduced to amend the Fire Limit By-Law.
Carried.
The By-Law was read a first time.
[Vol. 7 page] 604
Motions
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That Mr. Brighouse’s offer be accepted for the sale of the piece of land at the corner of Pender and Burrard Streets.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Neelands.
Seconded by “ McQueen.
That the City Engineer be instructed to examine the wharf at the foot of Abbott St. and report as to its’ condition at once.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Coldwell.
That the City Engineer be instructed to report upon Brockton Point wharf and all other approaches in the City.
Carried.
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Neelands.
That the By-Law to authorize a certain agreement between the Corporation of the City of Vancouver and the British Columbia Electric Railway Company be reconsidered and finally passed and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by “ McQueen.
That the By-Law to amend By-Law No. 142 be read a second time.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by “ Clandenning.
That the amendments to the Fire Limit By-Law be read a second time.
Carried.
[Vol. 7 page] 605
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by. “ W.S. MacDonald.
That the By-Law to provide for the widening of Pender Street at its junction with Burrard Street be read a second time.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by. “ Neelands.
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the above By-Law.
Carried.
Alderman Brown was appointed Chairman.
The By-Law was read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete.
The Rules were suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman McQueen seconded by Alderman Neelands.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by “ Clandenning.
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the By-Law to amend the Street By-Law and the By-Law to amend the Fire Limit By-Law.
Carried.
Alderman Brown was appointed Chairman.
In Committee the By-Laws were read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete.
The Rules were suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman Painter seconded by Alderman W.S. MacDonald.
The Council then adjourned.
W. Templeton
Mayor.
Thos. McGuigan
City Clerk.
