Communication received from the Militia Department giving permission to construct a Reservoir in Stanley Park. Although D.V. MacDonald had been selected as the contractor to build the Reservoir at a meeting of the Fire Water and Light Committee on November 24, both MacDonald and George W. Fuller withdrew their tenders for work on the reservoir. The matter was referred back to the Committee. The Chief of Police was instructed to take steps to prevent the sale of cigarettes to boys. Mr. Oppenheimer was notified that the wandering cows he complained of were wandering mostly outside the limits of the City Pound’s authority.
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives photo CVA Ci Dept P8
[1st Dam on Capilano, 1890]
to see original handwritten minutes – click here
City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 5 pages 606-614
[Volume 5, Page 606]
Vancouver November 27th 1893
The Council met on Monday November 27th 1893.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Anderson, Salsbury, Collins, Hackett, McCraney, Cargill, Franklin, Hobson, Brown and Towler.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From D.V. McDonald & Co. stating that they could not accept part contract on the Reservoir on which they had tendered and would not be willing to accept part of the work, as on the pipes they would lose money.
Referred to Fire, Water & Light Committee.
From R.M. Fripp, stating that some heavy stones had been dumped into the lane behind lots 11 and 12, block 24, sub-div 541, against the foundation walls recently built by Dr. Powell {on Richards Street}, that one pier had been knocked off its base and the walls run the risk of further injury and asking to have the boulders removed and damage made good. Referred to the Board of Works.
From William McGirr, applying for the position of Superintendent of Construction on the Water Works reservoir. Referred to Fire, Water and Light Committee.
From G.W. Hobson, Secretary of the Board of Fire Underwriters, stating that a copy of the proposal of the Council had been sent to each Insurance Company. Filed.
From Oppenheimer Brothers asking permission to lay a Railway siding through the lane alongside the Commercial Block to their warehouse. Referred to the Board of Works.
[Volume 5, page 607]
From George W. Fuller, withdrawing his tender for concrete work on the reservoir. Referred to the Fire, Water & Light Committee.
The following reports were received and read:
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday November 24th 1893.
Present: Aldermen Anderson, Collins, Cargill and Brown.
It was recommended:
That the following accounts be paid:
H.M. Henderson Clerical Work $60.00
William Ralph Supplies $12.65
News Advertiser Supplies $4.00
W.D. Burdis Address $5.00
That the City Clerk be instructed to write the Board of Underwriters making a proposition without prejudice with a view of settling the amount of License fees, the Insurance Companies should pay.
That William Sutherland, Poll Tax Collector be instructed to collect the amounts due from the parties owning lots in the district cleared as per agreement with the City.
Signed R.A. Anderson, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown; Seconded by Alderman Hackett
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on November 22nd 1893.
Present: Alderman McCraney in the Chair, and Aldermen Brown, Franklin, Hackett and Salsbury
It was recommended that:
In answer to William Browning’s letter that the City’s portion of the fees amounting to $22.50 be recommended for payment; and that W.J.M. Browning be informed that in reference….
[Volume 5, page 608]
….to the frontage assessment it is not in the power of the Board of Works to make a change as the rate and proportion for assessment was fixed by the Court of Revision held on 5th July 1892.
That a communication from E. Shurgold, asking that a stump and logs apposite his house on Sixth Avenue removed was referred to Alderman Brown to examine and report.
That Mrs. A. Creery asking for a temporary sidewalk along Beach Avenue as far as her house also from the Street Inspector reporting on the cost of same be laid over for want of funds.
That Mrs. Emma Gold’s application asking permission to be allowed to build an addition to the Albion Hotel, Water Street be referred to the Fire Inspector.
That I. Stevens, asking that a sidewalk be extended on Comox Street past his premises be laid over.
That A. Fraser, asking that a stump on Lot 24 Block 109 – 264a, cut down be referred to the Street Inspector.
Signed H.P. McCraney, Chairman
Moved in amendment by Alderman McCraney. Seconded by Alderman Collins that the last clause in the Report re Mr. Brownings proposition for assessment be referred back to the Board of Works the balance of the report was then adopted.
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Franklin.
That the report as amended be adopted. Carried.
[Volume 5, page 609]
Police Committee
The Police Committee met on Tuesday November 21 1893
Present: Alderman Towler, Hackett, Hobson and Salsbury
It was recommended that:
Gillespie’s account for interpreting been filed.
Gillespie and Kenneth Mackenzie applying for positions on the Police Force be filed.
The Chief of Police was instructed to take action to prevent the sale of cigarettes to boys.
Mr. Oppenheimer be notified that the greater portion of the district where cows were wandering about at night is outside the pound limits, but that the pound keeper will be instructed to prevent any further nuisance as far as his powers extend.
The Pound Keeper be notified to fulfil more strictly the duties he has been appointed to perform or send in his resignation.
The following accounts be paid:
William Anderson Moiety $12.50
J.P. Blake Supplies $12.70
C.F. Forman Supplies $27.00
C.S. Philp Supplies $13.58
W.A. McIntosh & Co Supplies $19.10
Robert Clark Supplies $1.00
L.T. Tilley & Son Supplies $1.00
G.L. Allan Supplies $1.25
John McLaren Fares $10.75
William Murphy Uniforms $385.50
Signed W. Towler, Chairman. Moved by Alderman Towler; seconded by Alderman Cargill
That the report be adopted. Carried
[Volume 5, page 610]
Fire Water & Light Committee
The F.W. & L. Committee met on Wednesday, November 22nd 1893
Present: Aldermen Franklin, Salsbury, Hackett, Cargill and Towler.
It was recommended:
That the following accounts were recommended for payment:
Creamer & Langley Supplies $.46
B.F. Heney Supplies $8.00
Godfrey & Co. Supplies $2.14
Municipality of No: Vancouver Expenses $19.00
Russell Leonard Supplies $27.00
W.G. Warren Supplies $6.75
Dom. Express Co Freight $3.65
Isaac G. Johnstone Blacksmithing $4.00
B.C. Iron Works Supplies $50.98
News Advertiser Supplies $32.50
F. Allen Supplies $2.50
Keefer & Godden Scow hire $65.00
B.J. Heney Supplies $9.75
W.G. Warren Supplies $11.91
Vancouver Electric Rail & Light Co $1.02
Keefer & Godden Scow hire $26.00
Hooper et al Labor $345.50
That the City Clerk be authorized to order another suction hose for the fire engine same to be ordered by telegram through the Gutta Percha & Rubber Company of Toronto.
That Joseph Harbin et al applying for City Water be informed that they will be required to make their application through the Water Works Office.
That the Water Works Clerk be referred to Bylaws for guidance in reference to A.J. Whitaker’s complaint.
That the communication from the Clerk of North Vancouver regarding the road up to Capilano Creek be laid over till next meeting.
[Volume 5, page 611]
That William Morrison’s communication containing proposals for testing the Narrows be filed.
That the communication from the Militia Department giving permission to construct a Reservoir in Stanley Park be acknowledged and filed.
That the tenders for the construction of the reservoir in Stanley Park were opened and consideration deferred until Friday at 4pm to be considered at a special meeting.
Signed J.L. Franklin, Chairman
The adjourned meeting of the F.W. & L. Committee was held on Friday November 24th 1893.
Present: Aldermen Franklin, Hackett & Salsbury
It was recommended:
That the following tenders for a reservoir in Stanley Park were laid before the committee for consideration.
Louis Donafico Slashing $1720.70
Jonathan A. Flett Bulk $38,745.00
D. McGillivray Slashing $1908.00 Excavating $11,940.00
Concrete $15,400.00 Valves, pipes & pipe laying $8756.95 Total $38,006.00
D.V. McDonald & Co. Slashing $1767.76 Excavating $11,406.45
Concrete $16,555.38
Valves, pipes & pipe laying $3906.72 Total $33,636.34
Purdy & Williams Slashing $1831.50 Excavating $10,490.00
Concrete $8662.50
George W. Fuller Concrete $9950.00
Tierney & Larson Slashing $2517.00 Excavating $11,221.00
D.F. McLellan Slashing $2475.00
Boyd & Clandening Slashing $2250.0 Excavating $12,304.00
Concrete $11,350 Total $34,854.00
Albion Iron Works Co Pipe valves $6214.80
[Volume 5, page 612]
That it was recommended that the contract for clearing and grubbing be awarded to D.V. McDonald & Co for $1767.76 and pipes, pipe laying and valves for $3906.72.
That Purdy & Williams be awarded the Contract for excavation at $10,490.00 and concrete at $8662.50.
Signed J.L. Franklin, Chairman
The F.W.&L. Committee met again on Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
Present: Aldermen Franklin, Salsbury, Hackett and Cargill
The object of the meeting was to consider the relaying of the part of the submerged main broken on September 18th.
It was recommended:
That as the Engineer reported it had been drawn out and the two parts joined together. Also the special castings put on and was drawn 30 feet towards its permanent, also that he declined to take the responsibility of drawing it into position unless he had more efficient superintendence (sic) under his direction. After considerable discussion it was resolved to engage W.H. Armstrong to superintend at a salary of $20.00 per day, to commence at once.
Signed J.L. Franklin, Chairman
Moved in amendment by Alderman Anderson. Seconded by Alderman Towler that the matter in reference to the Reservoir be referred back to be reconsidered at the Committee meeting on Wednesday and the balance of the report was then adopted.
Moved by Alderman Franklin; Seconded by Alderman Salsbury.
That the report as amended be adopted. Carried.
[Volume 5, page 613]
Inquiries –
Alderman Towler asked if the City Engineer could state the position of the Reservoir as compared with the highest part of Mount Pleasant.
In reply the City Engineer stated that as far as he could remember, the reservoir would be 100 feet above the Mount Pleasant Fire Hall or a similar height above the highest point in the West End at the corner of Bute Street. The Reservoir was about 245 feet above the extreme high-water mark.
Introduction of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Franklin
That a by-Law be introduced and read a first time to amend the Market by-law. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Franklin
That the by-law be published twice in the press. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That a by-law be introduced and read a first time to change the divisions of the Wards. Carried
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the by-law be published twice in the press. Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Alderman Collins
That the weekly pay roll of the Board of Works amounting to $271.95 be paid. Carried.
[Volume 5, page 614]
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the sum of $25,000 for clearing of land in Wards 3, 4 and 5 be placed to the credit of the Board of Works by Finance Committee said sum to be charged to the land and collected as taxes. Carried.
Notice of Motions
Alderman Franklin gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move that the City Engineer be notified that his services will terminate 30 days from that date and ask for applications to fill the Engineer’s position at a salary of $150.00 per month.
Alderman Salsbury gave notice that at next meeting he would move that steps be taken to place the City Water Works under the control and supervision of three Commissioners on and from January 1st 1894, or so soon thereafter as it may be found practicable to secure their appointment and install them in their office with full power to act.
The Council then adjourned.
F. Cope
Mayor
Note
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily World Newspaper; Water Commissioners column, November 28, 1893, pg 3.
