City Council regrets the untimely death of Ex-Mayor Fred Cope (Mr. Cope’s house shown above). The City Crematory was authorized to burn a quantity of damaged fruit. The Fire & Police Committee recommended purchase of fire hose from McLennan & McFeely in New Westminster.
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: CVA SGN 349
Fred Cope Residence 1100 Haro, 1890s
Original handwritten minutes:
City of Vancouver Archives
COV Series 31, Volume 8, pages 21-26
To see images of handwritten minutes, click on on the buttons below:
[Volume 8, Page 21]
The Council met on Monday October 4th 1897
Present: His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Townley, McQueen, McPhaiden, Brown, W. S. MacDonald and D. G. McDonald. The Minutes of last meetings were read and adopted.
Communications
From A. Kitt-Ledger, asking for a street light on Ninth Avenue near Bridge Street. Referred to Light Committee.
From the City Solicitor advising that parties burning {damaged} fruit etc at the Crematory were enlisted to pay for such service. Referred to the Board of Health.
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights. Filed.
From the Secretary of the under Secretary of State, asking for the present census of the City. Referred to the Finance Committee.
From Evans, Coleman & Evans drawing attention to the disgraceful condition of Alexander Street {from Carrall Street to} near their wharf. Referred to the Board of Works.
The following Reports were received and read:
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday October 1st 1897.
Present: Aldermen McQueen, Brown and D.G. McDonald
[Volume 8, Page 22]
Communications
From the Salvation Army rendering an account of how the grant made to the Council was spent. Filed.
From the Leslie Weekly New York, asking for advertising patronage. Filed for reference.
The following tenders were received for the timber on Hastings Park:
A. McNair for cedar $220.00
William Harris 25 cents per cord
None of the tenders were considered favorable enough to accept.
The City Solicitor submitted a copy of the lease for Lot 14, Block 64, DL 185 which was approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor, and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Palace Livery Stables hack hire $5.00
News, Advertiser supplies $12.50
W.S. Forsyth status labor Dunville Ranch $27.30
W.E. Johnstone clerical work $60.00
Clarke & Stuart supplies $25.25
C.W. McCaine supplies $7.20
Signed by James McQueen, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman Townley
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Fire & Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday September 28th 1897.
Present: Aldermen D.G. McDonald, Townley, McQueen and McPhaiden.
[Volume 8, Page 23]
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
F.A. Lee hire of ambulance $6.50
E. Clough express hire $5.00
News, Advertiser supplies $3.50
J. Dodson supplies $18.15
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $9.73
Police Department disbursements $8.75
M.P. Morris interpreting $4.00
Gamewell Fire Alarm Co fire alarm boxes $240.30
The following tenders were received for supplying 1000 feet of hose:
McLennan & McFeely Maple leaf single jacket 73 cents per foot
Maple leaf double jacket 88 cents per foot
Star single jacket 80 cents per foot
Thomas Dunn & Co Paragon fire hose 90 cents per foot
Resolved that the tender of McLennan & McFeely be recommended for acceptance for supplying 1000 feet of double jacket hose at 88 cents per foot.
Resolved that the Fire Department be supplied with 11 rubber boots, 7 rubber coats and 21 pairs pants and that tenders be called for supplying same.
Resolved that a nozzle be purchased for the Fire Department.
Resolved that the hour for holding the Police Court be changed from 4pm to 2pm.
Resolved that the Chief of the Fire Brigade be authorized to purchase sufficient wire for installing the new fire alarm boxes and have certain repairs made to No 3 Fire Hall.
[Volume 8, Page 24]
Communications
From the Chief of Police asking that the arranging of the purchase of police clothing be left to the Chairman and himself. Resolved that his request be granted.
From the City Solicitor advising that M.G. McLeod was entitled to his wages while he was under suspension.
Resolved that acting under the advise (sic) of the City Solicitor, M.G. McLeod be paid his wages while under suspension amounting to $140.00.
From the City Solicitor advising that the City would be entitled to deduct any expenses incurred in connection with smuggling cases from the fines imposed and tur over balance. Resolved that the advise (sic) of the City Solicitor be followed.
Resolved that the Chairman be authorized to interview the owners of the ambulance with a view of getting a reduction in rates. {W.S. MacDonald was in favor of the City owning an ambulance, McPhaiden said it was the intention that a Black Maria would be purchased for use in connection with the police department at the first of the year}.
Signed D.G. McDonald, Chairman
Moved by Alderman D.G. McDonald; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Introduction of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Townley;
Seconded by Alderman McQueen
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the introduction of a By-Law to allow of the introduction of a By-Law to amend the Fire Limit By-Law.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly introduced and read a first time.
[Volume 8, page 25]
Motions
Moved by Alderman Brown;
Seconded by Alderman D.G. McDonald
That the following account be paid:
M. Rockett repairs to Market Hall $436.95
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden;
Seconded by Alderman Townley
That the following account be paid:
J. W. Oldfield Women’s Ward $1186.20
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden;
Seconded by Alderman W.S. MacDonald
That the following account be paid:
J.W. Mallory Inspecting Women’s Ward $36.00
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the leave of absence granted Alderman Clandening be extended one month more.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman D.G. McDonald
That the City Clerk be instructed to notify the Electric Light Company that their lights are dim and asked that same be rectified.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Townley;
Seconded by Alderman McQueen
That we express deep regret at the news of the untimely death of Ex-Mayor Fred Cope and that the City Clerk be instructed to write a letter of condolence to the widow on behalf of the Council.
Carried.
[Volume 8, page 26]
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Townley;
Seconded by Alderman W.S. MacDonald
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the second reading of the By-Law to amend the Fire Limit By-Law.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read a 2nd time.
Moved by Alderman Townley;
Seconded by Alderman McQueen
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for its consideration.
Carried.
Alderman Townley was appointed Chairman.
In Committee the By-Law was read over clause by clause and reported to the Council as complete.
The Rules were again suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman W.S. MacDonald, seconded by Alderman Townley.
The Board then adjourned.
Thomas Francis McGuigan
City Clerk
W. Templeton
Mayor
Note
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily World Newspaper; City Council, October 5th 1897, pg 3
