The Board of Works reviewed an application from the Bailey Brothers for a brick extension at the rear of their store (pictured here). The Fire Inspector to notify architects and building permit applicants that all new buildings must conform to the “Fire Escape Act 1894” passed at the last session of the [British Columbia] Legislature . Mayor R. A. Anderson appointed Aldermen Salsbury, McDowell, McCraney, Franklin and C.L. Brown to draft necessary changes to the Vancouver Charter.
This transcript was made in May 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives
reference code AM54-S4-: Bu P76
C.S. Bailey in front of his studio at 227 Hastings , ca 1888
City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 6 pages pages 243 to 251
to see the original handwritten minutes – click here
[Volume 6, Page 243]
Vancouver October 1st 1894
The Council met on Monday October 1st 1894.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Salsbury, Shaw, Queen, McDowell, McPhaiden, McCraney, William Brown, Franklin, C.L. Brown and Bethune.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
The following communications were received:
From James P. Witherow, Pittsburg, thanking the Mayor and Council for passing a resolution re iron and steel works.
Filed.From Purdy & Williams asking the Council to pass a resolution to ratify their reservoir contract. Laid over for motion.
From H.T. Ceperley stating that negotiations were in progress for an improved street car service for Fairview. Filed.
From Orvin Evan Thomas complaining about concerts etc’s being given in unlicensed halls. Referred to the Police Committee.
From the City Solicitor giving an opinion on the application of C.W. Rand for an extension of time on the Burrard Inlet & Fraser Valley. Laid over.
From John McLaren {Chief Constable} report on the electric lights. Filed.
[Volume 6, Page 244]
From J.T. Carroll and others asking the Mayor to call a public meeting to discuss the electric light By-Law. Granted.
From H.W. Suckling asking to be allowed to engross an address to Lord Aberdeen. Referred to the Finance Committee.
The following Reports were received and read:
Police Committee
The Police Committee met on Thursday September 27th 1894
Present: Alderman C.L. Brown, Shaw, McPhaiden and William Brown.
Communications
From the Pound Keeper furnishing Report. Filed.
Resolved, That the Chief of Police be instructed to ascertain by next meeting the amount of insurance carried by each police officer.
Resolved, That the City Clerk be instructed to advertise for tenders for the supplying of police uniforms and waterproof coats.
The following accounts were received and read:
G.S. McConnell Supplies $2.55
Carswell & Co Supplies $20.50
McIntosh & Co Supplies $49.80
C.J. Straube Supplies $1.00
C.S. Philp Supplies $7.83
F. Filion Supplies $54.20
[Volume 6, Page 245]
Diplock & Co Supplies $6.00
G.L. Allan Supplies $2.50
Signed C.L. Brown, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden; Seconded by Queen.
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday September 28th 1894. Present: the full board
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
H.M. Henderson Clerical Work $60.00
News, Advertiser Supplies $37.20
Signed W.F. Salsbury, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Queen.
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday September 27th 1894.
Present: Alderman McCraney, Franklin, Shaw and C.L. Brown
In reference to the bond given by the C.T. Land and Mortgage Co re rebate for cement walk laid corner of Abbott and Cordova Streets, the City Solicitor recommended adding another clause covering the question of keeping the sidewalk in repair which was accordingly ordered to be done.
Communications
From R.D. Kimmond & Co asking permission to …
[Volume 6, page 246]
…. to put in a temporary sewer at lots 4 and 6, Clock 55, 185.
Temporary permission granted, when proper sewer is put in, they must take out the temporary sewer and make proper connections.
From John Morton etal, petitioning the Board to introduce a By-Law to open the whole of the streets west of Bidwell Street, the work to be carried out under the frontage tax system.
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to get all requisite levels of all streets west of Nicola Street from water to water and estimate of cost of grading same.
From H. Abbott, Superintendent CPR Co making a proposition in reference to the lease to the City of the right-of-way along their track between Carrall and Hastings Streets being a portion of Lot 17, Block 3, 541. Resolved that the offer be not entertained.
Russell Leonard applied for rebate on cement tile walk laid opposite Miller Block on Cordova St. Referred to the City Engineer to examine and report.
Bailey Bros, submtted a sketch showing proposed brick addition, at the rear of their store. Mr. N.S. Hoffar also submitted a plan of the Garden building which is to be erected next to the Horne Block. Both plans referred to the City Engineer to examine to see if they conform with the requirements of the Fire By-Law.
From J. Toull etal, asking that the chain gang be …
[Volume 6, page 247]
… sent to cut a road to give them access to their houses on 7th Avenue west of the Alexandra Hospital.
Request granted, the chain gang to be sent out accordingly.
From R.H. Patterson making an offer of a quantity of 6” vitrified sewer pipe to the City.
Resolved that the City Engineer be authorized to get what pipes he may require.
From H. Smith & Sons giving quotations for horse scrapers etc
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to write for the cost of a horse scraper.
From C.D. Rand, President of the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Co to have set apart for the use of the railway, the streets required by the Company for the construction of its line of railway and works.
The Board finds that on the 13th day of March 1893, permission was granted to use the following streets within the following limits: namely from Gore Avenue to False Creek via Railway, Alexander & Powell Streets, Raymur Avenue and Crab Street Lane. In view of the probable delay in completing the Railway within the earlier of the two periods fixed by the By-Law, the Board considering it necessary before reporting on the application, to enquire into circumstances which the company allege have prevented the vigorous prosecution of the works until recently required the attendance before the Board of Mr. C.D. Rand, President..
[Volume 6, page 248]
… of the Company and having fully investigated the matter, the Board satisfied with the explanations given, therefore resolve that the said portions of streets be assigned to the use of the Company’s railway and works and also the following, namely all the streets which will be required to form the right-of-way through the City as far as the City limits, as shown on the plan submitted by Mr. C.D. Rand, President of the BI & FVRR at this meeting and marked, approved and dated 27th September 1894, a copy of which plan is deposited in the City Engineer’s Office, which the Board finds are, also required by the Company, the assigning of these streets being subject to all the conditions set out in the By-Law No 166 and to the conditions contained in the resolution passed and sanctioned by the City Council on the 13th day of March 1893.
Resolved that the Fire Inspector be instructed to see that all parties contemplating the erection of buildings are notified to conform to the requirements of the “Fire Escape Act 1894” passed at the last session of the local Legislature and that notices to the same effect be sent to the City Architects.
Resolved that the Gore Avenue slip be repaired, the street inspector being instructed to see same carried out.
Resolved that the account of the Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Co, amounting to $108.00 for one man’s time fixing track on Westminster …
[Volume 6, page 249]
.. Avenue be referred to the City Engineer to readjust.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
W.S. Cook Delivering crushed rock $262.14
W.S. Cook Delivering crushed rock $348.97
B.C. Iron Works Supplies $305.51
G.A. Rannie Repairs $191.40
Martin Kelly Supplies $961.07
T.M. Thomas Clearing 185 $200.00
Lomas & Sheridan Repairs $14.00
A.E.E. McLeod Crushed rock $886.09
McLennan & McFeely Supplies $177.17
G. Prattey Express $6.00
T. Clough Express $9.00
W. Fowler Repairs $8.75
Weekly payroll $191.80
Signed H.P. McCraney, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Franklin.
That the clause in reference to the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway be laid over.
Moved by Alderman William Brown; Seconded by Alderman McDowell
That the clause in reference to the clearing in the west end be struck out. Lost.
[Volume 6, page 250]
Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown; Seconded by Alderman Franklin
That the Report as amended be adopted. Carried
Motions
Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown: Seconded by Alderman McCraney
That the Pay Roll of the Water Works for the week ending September 24th amounting to $259.95 be passed and paid. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Franklin; Seconded by Alderman McDowell
That the affixing of the Corporate Seal of the City of Vancouver to the contract dated 12th December 1893 and made between W.D. Purdy and H. Williams of the one part and the Corporation of the City of Vancouver of the other part for slashing, excavation and concrete in pursuance of report of Fire, Water & Light Committee, adopted by resolution of the Council December 4th 1893, and the said contract be and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed. Carried.
Moved by Alderman McCraney: Seconded by Alderman Salsbury
That notice be given of the resolution of the City to have a bill introduced at the next session of the Legislature to amend the Charter. Carried.
[Volume 6, page 251]
Moved by Alderman McCraney: Seconded by Alderman C.L. Brown
That a committee be appointed to report on the necessary amendments. Carried
The Mayor appointed Aldermen Salsbury, McDowell, McCraney, Franklin and C.L. Brown.
Notice of Motion
Alderman McCraney gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move that the Mayor nominate a committee of five to investigate and report to the next meeting of this Council on the causes of delay in the construction of the BI & FV Railway.
Alderman C.L. Brown gave notice that he would move the following at next meeting of Council:
That an offer be made by the City Council to the Trustees of the Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Co to enter into a contract for arc light at the price of 37.5 cents till the number in use reaches 200 when the price be 35 cents to be based on 310 days in a year.
The Council then adjourned until Thursday the 4th instant at 8pm.
Thomas Francis McGuigan R.A. Anderson
City Clerk Mayor
