Council would like to see the cost of boarding City [of Vancouver] prisoners in the Provincial Jail reduced, “the Committee being of the opinion that 50¢ a day is too much seeing that the prisoners are obliged to work for which no credit is given to the City”.
This transcript was made in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon
Illustration Source: City of Vancouver Archives
Out P10 – [Exterior of a penitentiary]
Text Source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 559 – 566
To see or download the handwritten minutes for this date, click on the buttons below (2 parts):
[Vol 7 page 559]
Vancouver May 5th 1897.
The Council met on Monday May 5th 1897
Present – His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Neelands, McQueen, mcPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, W.S. MacDonald and D.G. McDonald.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police Reporting on the electric lights. Filed
From Ng Mook asking permission to remove the building from lot 28. Block 15.196 to the rear of Lot 24 Block 15.196 Referred to the Board of Works
From Scott and Devlin asking that the bicycle stand in front of their premises be allowed to remain there for a period. Referred to the Board of Works
From John Blevins City Clerk of Toronto enclosing petitions for signature praying that the Bell Telephone Co be restricted from increasing their rates.
Referred to the Finance Committee
From the Street Railway Co submitting proposition for the construction of a street railway on Pender, Georgia and Denman Streets
Referred to the Railway Committee. The Chairman to call a meeting on Friday at 8 P.M. for its consideration
From His Worship the Mayor submitting copies of telegrams sent and replies thereto relative to the enforcement of quarantine regulations at Albert’s Head,
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ D.G. McDonald
That the action of the Mayor be endorsed by the Council. Carried.
[Vol 7 Page 560]
From the City Clerk of Nanaimo asking the Council to use their influence on behalf of the Citizens of Nanaimo to have postponed the Bicycle races which it is proposed to hold here on the 24th of May next to some other suitable day; also extending a cordial invitation to be present in Nanaimo on that occasion
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ W.S. MacDonald
That the communication be acknowledged, thanking the Council of Nanaimo for their kind invitation and informing them that both the Mayor and Council shall be pleased to accept same and that the other portion of the communication referring to the bicycle races be referred to the Joint Committee of the Citizens to be held on Tuesday evening next – and that a copy of the communication be sent to the Bicycle Club. Carried.
The following Reports were received and read:-
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on the 29th of April 1897.
Present – Aldermen Shaw, Neelands, McPhaiden W.S. MacDonald and D.G. McDonald.
Communications
From the City Solicitor submitting a letter from Davis, Marshall, Macneill and Abbott containing a proposition from Miss Kendall to supply the City with crushed rock.
Resolved that this Board recommends that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a contract to be signed by Miss Kendall in keeping with the terms mentioned in the letter referred to dated 27th April 1897.
From J. Mason & Co asking that the hole be filled up in rear of store cellar 512 Seymour Street
Referred to the City Engineer.
Communication from Thomson Bros and D Lyster & Co offering type writing machines were referred to the Finance Committee.
[Vol 7 Page 561]
From R. Minalty asking to be allowed to put a bicycle rack in front of the Louvre.
Permission refused.
Permission was asked to move the premises occupied by Sam Kee on Dupont Street to the rear of Ng Mook’s building.
Referred to the City Engineer and Health Inspector to look into.
Resolved that tenders be called up to 4 P.M. on the 20th of May for the following work:-
- Delivery of crushed rock on the streets
- Barnard St cutting down hill at Heatley Av
- Carl Ave. grading 30 ft wide from Keefer to Prior.
The following tenders were received and opened:-
Wood Paving corner of Powell, Alexander & Carrall
Ironside and Campbell
Granite curb $100 per l. ft
Excavation concrete 10 cts “ sq “
Cedar Blocks 15 “ “ “ “
Setting Curb 25 “ “ l “
Armstrong & Morrison
Granite curb $100 per l. ft
Excavation concrete 14 cts “ sq “
Cedar Blocks 11 “ “ “ “
Setting Curb 15 “ “ l “
Resolved that the tender of Armstrong and Morrison be recommended for acceptance
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
J.D. Fraser Cambie St. Walk $167.00
do Richards “ “ 74.53
Cory & Griffith Granville St. bridge 100.
S. Elkins etal Labor 716.45
The following tenders were received for Westminster avenue 12 ft. walk
A.D. McDonald 34 ¢ per l ft
Angus Fraser 32 ½ “ “ “
[Vol 7 Page 562]
Resolved that the tender of Angus Fraser be recommended for acceptance.
sgd H.P. Shaw
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Painter
That the portion of the Report in reference to the Block paving be struck out and the balance of the Report adopted. Carried (6 to 1)
Fire and Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday April 28th 1897
Present – Aldermen D.G. McDonald, McQueen, McPhaiden and W.S. MacDonald.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Dr. Langis Attending Police Court $4.00
News. Advertiser Supplies 11.50
James Cornshan Scavengering 1.50
A.E. Lees & Co Supplies 12.00
J.K. Davis “ 2.75
M. Grossman “ 5.00
F. Muskett “ 3.75
Provincial Govt Boarding Prisoners 15.50
J. Sudeman. Supplies 3.50
A. Poole Medical Attendance 5.00
The following parties tendered for supplying police and firemen’s uniforms:-
E.Larson, D. Stuart, S. McPherson & Co. and J.G. Campbell.
Resolved that the contracts be awarded as follows:-
Firemen’s Uniforms
D. Stewart from Sample No 3990. At $20.50 per. Suit.
Chief’s $24.50
Police Uniforms
S. McPherson & Co
Chief’s suit $24.25
Officers 21.50
[Vol 7 Page 563]
Dr. Langis rendered an account for medical services rendered Mrs Hill who was shot by her husband.
The City Solicitor advised that the City was not liable for the payment of the account and the Clerk was instructed to notify the Doctor to that effect.
The same advice was given regarding an account from the Palace Livery Stables for conveying Mrs. Hill to St. Paul’s hospital
Resolved that the Provincial Government be memorialized with a view of getting the cost of boarding City prisoners in the Provincial Jail reduced, the Committee being of the opinion that 50¢ a day is too much seeing that the prisoners are obliged to work for which no credit is given to the City.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to communicate with R.A. Rose 230 Kearney Street San Francisco. California and ask him for quotations on the Gamewell Fire Alarm boxes.
sgd D.G. McDonald
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the item in reference to the payment of $4.oo to Dr. Langis be struck out and the balance of the Report adopted. Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday April 30th 1897.
Present – the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
W. E. Johnstone Clerical Work $60.00
A St. G. Hamersly Disbursements 37.00
The following contracts were approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
[Vol 7 Page 564]
Thos Gibbons Georgia St grading
S. Sheridan Heatley Avenue Sidewalk
Communications
From John Carlin Chicago stating that exemption from taxation would be no inducement for him to start a tannery in Vancouver. Filed
From the City Auditor furnishing Report for March. Filed
From Stewart Houston, Toronto forwarding petition for signature by the Mayor and Council memorializing the Governor General to petition the Imperial Authorities to allow the Royal Artillery Band to visit Canada this summer.
Resolved that his request be complied with.
From B.E. Lyster & Co and Thomson Bros asking the Council to purchase their respective typewriters. None wanted.
Jocob Izen appeared before the Committee and stated that he wished to take out a Second Hand License and reserve a rebate for the expired portion of the year say up to the1st of April.
Resolved that Mr Izens application for refund of his license be considered at the time provided for by the By-Law as to refunds on licenses.
sgd James McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted. Carried
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday April 28th 1897.
Present – the full Board
The Foreman’s Report for April was received and filed.
[Vol 7 Page 565]
The following tenders for trench for steel mains were received from:-
A.D. McDonald, F.E. Tilley, Thos. Stretch & JasWatt, Ironside & Campbell, Thos H. Boyd, and Thos Stephenson.
It was resolved to award the tender for excavation of trench for steel main to Thos H. Boyd his tender being the lowest at the following rates:-
Per linear ft: 22¢
1 ft Additional 7¢
2 “ “ 15¢
3” “ 28¢
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Chas Nelson Supplies .70 cts
W. Ralph “ $4.35
Armstrong & Morrison. “ 5148.02
W. Hooper etal Labor 516.74
Evans. Coleman & Evans supplies 26.58
B.C. Iron Works Co. “ 226.60
Huntley & Elson Repairs 3.50
Market Hardware Store supplies 1.30
sgd Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the following account be paid:-
C.G. Henshaw, Water Meters $56.86 Carried
Reconsideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Neelands
That By-law No 250 amending By-Law No 160 be reconsidered and
[Vol 7 Page 566]
finally passed and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed to them to Carried
The Bylaw was therefore finally passed
The Council then adjourned
W. Templeton
Mayor
Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk
