Council identified twenty four properties it would like to expropriate for public recreation purposes, and the price it would be willing to pay for each property. Council memorialize the Board of Trade in the City of Vancouver to cooperate with the Council of the said City of Vancouver to endeavor to have such arrangements made with the view of having direct booking and reception of passengers by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s vessels at Vancouver for San Francisco.
This transcript was made in March of 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Darlene Ochotta
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives
Item : Be P2 – [English Bay beach]
Source: COV S31 715 G 05 Vol 8
pages 444 – 453
[Volume 8 page] 444
Vancouver Sept. 6th 1898.
The Council met on Tuesday September 6th 1898.
Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Townley, Painter, McQueen, McGuigan, Brown, Foreman, McMorran and Bruce.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Governor Generals Secretary acknowledging receipt of the resolution of the Council with reference to the granting of further powers to the Council re Stanley Park.
Filed.
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed.
From the City Solicitor Stating that the City was not responsible for the payment of Dr. Poole’s account for attendance on one Griffith who was injured in the service of the Water Works.
Filed.
From Alderman Neelands asking for one month’s leave of absence.
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McMorran,
That Alderman Neelands be granted one month’s leave of absence and that Alderman McQueen be placed up on his Committees during his absence.
Carried.
From the Deputy Attorney General asking that the Council see that lights are provided for the public wharves.
Referred to the Light Committee.
[Volume 8 page] 445
From Malcolm McLeod asking for compensation for goods destroyed by order of the Health Officer.
Referred to the Health Committee.
From Geo. McL. Brown asking that the C.P.R. Exemption By-Law be submitted as soon as convenient.
Laid over.
From Dr. Tunstall advising that A.K. Stewart be granted one month’s leave of absence.
Moved by Alderman Painter,
Seconded by “ Townley,
That A.K. Stewart be granted a month’s leave of absence with pay.
Carried.
From Geo H. Duncanson [sic]1, Secretary of the Provincial Board of Health stating that the Local Board of Health as now legally constituted consists of the Mayor, Police Magistrate, City Clerk, City Engineer and Medical Health Officer and asking that it be constituted in accordance with the Act.
Referred to the Health Committee.
The following reports were received and read: –
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on the 1st of Sept. 1898.
Present the full Board.
Communications
From J. Colcutt asking for lane to be opened up in rear of his house, Barclay St.
Being done.
From H. Parker making certain suggestions re disposal of sewage.
[Volume 8 page] 446
Resolved that he be asked to attend the next Board meeting.
From F. H. Lamb Assistant Supt. Great Western Telegraph Co. giving particulars of proposed route for entering the City and asking permission to erect the poles in accordance with same.
Request granted subject to the work being done to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
From J. Hagel Barrister in reference to amount held back from Ths. Veitch on his contract for hauling crushed rock.
Referred to the City Solicitor.
From Martin & Dracon, Barristers in reference to the verandah at the Oriental Hotel Water Street.
Filed as the City Solicitor advised the City that it has power to tear the verandah down if not taken down by the owner in the time required by the By-Law regarding which they received notice from the Chief of Police.
From Hope, Gravely & Co. submitting plan for proposed alterations to a building on Lot 4. Block 15 DL. 196.
Resolved that he be informed that the building in question is outside the Fire Limits.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to call for tenders to be received up to 3 P.M, up to 3 P.M. [sic] on Thursday 2nd Sept. for the work of laying and completing the sewers to the west of Barclay Street as defined in By-Law.
The following accounts were recommended for payment: –
| Robertson & Hackett | Supplies | $22.53 |
| R.C.P. Mills Co. | “ | 126.15 |
| J. Currell | Repairs | 6.75 |
[Volume 8 page] 447
| Evans, Coleman & Evans | Supplies | $57.15 |
| D.K. Campbell | “ | 12.00 |
sgd HJ. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Mc Morran,
That the Report be accepted
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday September 2nd 1898.
Present the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment: –
| A.A. Boak & Co. | Insurance | $62.50 |
| John Ball | Taxes | 40.30 |
| News Advertiser | Ads | 38.82 |
| Thomson Brs. | Supplies | 1.50 |
| B.C. Elec Co. | Lights | 1556.55 |
Communications
From D. McLean asking for assistance for sending our Mrs Watson to Wu???? (Winnipeg?)
Filed.
From the Water Works and Board of Works employees asking for a half holiday on Saturdays.
Resolved that the employees of the Board of Works and Water Works Departments be allowed a Saturday half holiday in future except in cases of emergency and that the rate of pay in future shall be calculated on a basis so that the pay for fifty hours work shall be the same as the amount heretofore paid for 54 hours work.
From the Assessors giving assessment of Foreshore Lots on English Bay and Blocks in different portions of the city desired for recreation ground.
[Volume 8 page] 448
Referred to the City Solicitor.
sgd H.J.P. Jas McQueen,
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Bruce,
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Introduction of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Painter,
Seconded by “ Foreman,
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the introduction of a By-Law to amend By-Law no 302.
Carried.
The By-Law was read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Painter,
Seconded by “ Foreman,
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the introduction of a By-Law to amend By-Law no 302.
Carried.
The By-Law was read a first time.
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Painter,
That the following By-Law be read a first time: – A By-Law to authorize the issue of certain Debentures not exceeding in amount the sum of $____ for the purpose of acquiring certain lands to be used as Public Places.
Carried
The By-Law was read a first time
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Painter,
That the following By-Law be…
[Volume 8 page] 449
…read a first time viz a By-Law to authorize the acquiring and opening up of certain lands within the City as public places for the use of the Citizens.
Carried
The By-Law was accordingly read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McMorran,
That the following account be paid: –
| Ths Veitch | Delivering Crushed rock | $350.00 |
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Foreman,
That the following account be paid: –
| A. & C. Clark | Crushed Rock | $872.91 |
Carried
Moved by Alderman Bruce,
Seconded by “ McMorran,
That the City Engineer be asked to submit at the next meeting of the Council an approximate estimate of putting in a 24” main sewar [sic] on the most appropriate lane or street close to the waterfront on False Creek starting at Carolina Street a mile west of Granville Street emptying into English Bay.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Bruce,
That whereas the Corporation of the City of Vancouver are about to acquire and maintain as a public place for the use and enjoyment of the public all those parcels of land being Lots 21 to 41 inclusive in Block 71, DL. 185 and…
[Volume 8 page] 450
…Lots 8 to 24 inclusive in Block 63, DL. 185 having a frontage on English Bay.
And whereas it is deemed to be necessary for the proper regulation and enjoyment of the same, and the lands and beach adjoining thereto, that the foreshore of the said lands should be vested in the Corporation.
Be it therefore resolved that the Minister of Marine and the Provincial Secretary of B.C. be requested to make such provision and to take such steps as may be necessary to vest the said foreshore in the Corporation and powers be granted the said Corporation to control and regulate the use thereof.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McGuigan
Seconded by “ Foreman,
That whereas The Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s vessels do not receive passengers directly from Vancouver to San Francisco but only indirectly by transhipment from Victoria thereby entailing considerable loss of time money and inconvenience to the Citizens of Vancouver and others wishing to visit or do business in San Francisco.
And also whereas visitors or merchants of San Francisco wishing to visit or do business directly with Vancouver are very much handicapped by the arrangements now in force, much to the injury of the City of Vancouver.
Therefore be it resolved that this Council memorialize the Board of Trade in the City of Vancouver to cooperate with the Council of the said City of Vancouver to endeavor to have such arrangements made with the view of having direct booking and reception of passengers by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s vessels at Vancouver for San Francisco…
[Volume 8 page] 451
…and from San Francisco to Vancouver without transhipment at Victoria.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Painter
That the amounts set opposite the description of the lands hereunder written be offered to the owners thereof as payment and compensation for the same, the said offers to be made conditional on the By-Law authorizing the issuing of the Debentures for the purpose of acquiring the said lands, receiving the assent of the Statutory majority of the ratepayers entitled to vote thereon.
That if the owners or any of them refuse to accept the paid amounts to be paid as afore said, then the amounts shall be settled by arbitration and R.G. Tatlow is hereby appointed to act as arbitrator on behalf of the Corporation.
That notices of the appointment of the Arbitrator be forwarded to the owners not agreeing to the said amounts, calling on such owners to appoint an arbitrator on their own behalf, that provided the By-Law aforesaid is duly passed, the amounts agreed on or awarded as the case may be, shall be paid to the said owners or to those legally entitled to the same on the title to the paid lands in fee simple free from encumbrances being vested in the Corporation: –
| Block 51. Subdivision 541 | $20,000 |
| Lots 8 to 24 inclusive in Block 63. Subdivision 185. | 15,000 |
| Block 71 Subdivision 185, | |
| Lot 21, | 1750 |
| Lot 22, | 1500 |
| Lot 23 Lot 23 (building | 1100 320 |
| Lot 24 | 1100 |
[Volume 8 page] 452
| Lot 25 “ “ building | $800 660 |
| “ 26 | 900 |
| “ 27 | 1000 |
| “ 28 “ 29 “ “ buildings | 1000 850 460 |
| “ 30 | 700 |
| “ 32 “ 33 “ “ Building | 850 850 380 |
| “ 34 “ 35 “ “ Buildings | 850 900 600 |
| “ 36 “ “ Buildings | 900 230 |
| “ 37 “ “ Buildings | 950 180 |
| “ 38 “ “ Buildings | 1100 1375 |
| “ 39 “ “ Buildings | 1200 1100 |
| “ 40 “ “ Buildings | 1300 250 |
| “ 41 “ “ Buildings | 1400 850 |
| Block 48. Subdivision 541 | 20000 |
| “ 54 “ 196. | 25350 |
| “ 26 “ 302 | 5450 |
Carried.
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McQueen,
That the Rules be suspended to allow of the second reading of the following By-Laws: –
(a) A By-Law to amend By-Law no 302
(b) A By-Law to amend By-Law no 303
(c) A By-Law to authorize the acquiring and opening up of certain lands within the City as public places for the use of the Citizens
Carried.
[Volume 8 page] 453
These By-Laws were accordingly read a second time.
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ B Painter,
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the above By-Laws.
Carried.
Alderman Brown was appointed Chairman.
The By-Laws were read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete.
Moved by Alderman McQueen,
Seconded by “ Painter,
That the Rules be again suspended to allow of the 3rd reading of the above By-Laws.
Carried.
They were accordingly read a 3rd time and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Brown gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he will introduce a By-Law to provide for the expropriation of the N.E. corner of Alexander and Carroll Streets for City purposes.
Alderman Brown gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that the amount of $___ be offered to the owner of ___ as compensation for the said piece of land. In the event of the owner not accepting the said offer that ___ be appointed as arbitrator on behalf of the City to decide on the amount payable for the said land notice of such appointment to be given to the owner and that the land shall be expropriated for the use of the City.
Alderman Townley gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would introduce a By-Law to be submitted to the vote of the ratepayers qualified to vote thereon providing for the exemption of the yards, wharves works buildings and lands on which terminal buildings of the C.P.R. Co. may be erected for a period not exceeding 18 years from the 6th of May 1898.
And that in the event of the City granting to any railway company other than the C.P.R. Co. a bonus within a period of 8 years from the 6th of May 1898, the real property of the C.P.R. Co. in the City shall be exempted from any additional taxation imposed by the granting of such bonus for the said period of 8 years from the 6th of May 1898.
The Council then adjourned
James F. Garden
Mayor
Ths F. McGuigan
City Clerk
- The official’s surname was actually Duncan – transcriber D. Ochotta