Location of the “Nuisance Shacks” are shown in red here in this illustration. Mr. J.D. Langlois complained that the police had “miscounted” the effects of Mr. Atcheson, whose heirs had received only $30 of the $35 they should have done. Miss Macfie reported she was “annoyed by chickens” at the hospital!
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Original handwritten minutes:
City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 7 pages 307 – 314
[Volume 7, Page 307]
The Council met on Monday September 21st 1896
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Schou, Banfield, McPhaiden, Brown, MacDonald, Bethune and Coldwell. The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the City Auditor reporting the accounts correct for July. Filed.
From the Chief of Police {William Ward} reporting on the electric lights. Filed.
From the City Solicitor {Hamersley} stating that under the Charter the City Council had no right to interfere with the politics of the Dominion and consequently should not sign the Anti – Chinese and Japanese petitions. Filed.
From J.D. Langlois claiming that the Chief of Police had made a mistake in counting the money of one Fred Atcheson. Referred to the Police Committee. {Atchesan drowned at Tait’s Mill. Langlois paid the funeral expenses and Actenson’s (sic) box had been taken from Mr. Yates’ house to the police station. When it was opened $35 were found in it, the bills being a $20, a $10 and a $5. There was also a silver watch. The money was counted in the presence of Mr. Yates and officers McIntosh. When he went to get the money and effects the Chief gave him $30 and the watch, that was all. Langlois now asks for the other $5. The Chief said Langlois was false entirely and had received a receipt for the $30}.
From Edgar Bloomfield asking for a six-foot sidewalk on 7th Ave. Referred to the Board of Works.
From Mrs. E. Breeze asking for additional assistance for Mrs. Addison now an inmate of the Good “Sheppards Home” {sic} New Westminster. Referred to the Board of Health.
[Volume 7, Page 308]
The following reports were received and read:
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday September 18th 1896
Present: Aldermen Banfield, Painter, Brown and Bethune
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Summers & Orrell supplies $1.25
Clarke & Stuart supplies $15.56
Geo E. Trarey supplies $50.00
City Band grant $25.00
A.K. Stuart address $8.00
The following contracts were approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto:
Gutta Percha and Rubber Mfg Co for supplying 750 ft hose.
J.D. Fraser for laying a sidewalk on Water Street.
Communication from W.A. McIntosh asking to be relieved from the Bond of W.H. Kendall on the rock crushing contract. Laid Over.
Resolved that a By-Law be introduced to exempt the Automatic Can Co from taxation for ten years and supplying them with free water.
Signed J.J. Banfield, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Bethune; Seconded by Alderman Banfield
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
[Volume 7, Page 309]
Fire & Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday September 15th 1896
Present: Aldermen Coldwell, Painter, Banfield and McPhaiden
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Johnny Moon moieties $30.00
G.F. Baldwin fare for Reilly $3.50
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting that he had paid in the fine of James Summers. Filed.
From Alex. C. Webster Sr, complaining that he had reported to the Chief of Police, a case where light bread was being sold and that no action was taken thereon. After hearing Mr. Webster, it was resolved that in future the Chief of Police be instructed to strictly carry out the By-Law relating to the inspection {and weighing} of bread.
The Captain of the Prince Victor interviewed the Committee in relation to a fire on board his ship. He told the Chief whom he suspected for setting the fire. The Chief showed that he had taken all necessary steps to apprehend the party suspected.
Signed C.A. Coldwell, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Coldwell; Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
[Volume 7, Page 310]
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday September 16th 1896. Present: the full Board.
Communications
From the Milk Inspector, Health Inspector and Hospital Matron furnishing Reports. Filed.
From John L. Powell asking for a sewer so that he might connect his premises 133 Keefer St therewith. Referred to the Board of Works.
From Miss Macfie reporting that Mrs. Wasmough had resigned her position as nurse in the City Hospital on the 1st of September and that she had advanced Miss Roycroft to the vacant position at a salary of $20.00 per month from that date; also that she had engaged Miss O’Connor as junior nurse at a salary of $10.00 per month, dating from the 1st of September.
Resolved that the appointments be confirmed at the salaries mentioned.
From Miss Macfie reporting that she was annoyed by chickens at the hospital. Filed.
From Miss Macfie reporting that the sanitary grate was not yet fixed.
Resolved that the matter of fixing the sanitary grate be left in the hands of the Chairman to attend to.
From the Secretary of the Provincial Board of Health, the coroner and Coroner’s juries urging that Dupont Street be placed in a sanitary condition. Matter being attended to.
From A. Gilmore, Victoria protesting against the City interfering with his property on Dupont …
[Volume 7, Page 311]
… Street or Dupont Street Alley without first arranging with him; also claiming foreshore rights. Referred to the City Solicitor.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Alfred Poole post mortem $10.00
W.J. McGuigan inquests $30.00
McDowell & Co supplies $65.18
M.J. James supplies $73.12
BC Iron Works Co supplies $2.50
J. Stevens & Son supplies $9.10
Crowder & Penzer supplies $23.77
A.H. Thomas medical attendance $20.00
St Luke’s Home boarding Julia $20.00
BC Mills supplies $4.40
Gas Co supplies $9.85
G. Drysdale supplies $36.64
Weeks & Robson supplies $16.10
C.F. Foreman supplies $65.09
Thomas Dunn & Co supplies $10.25
Rich Mecki labor $20.00
C.S. Philp supplies $21.27
Clarkson & Mayne final hospital painting $58.10
J. Dodson supplies $16.75
W. Nossle labor $8.00
Texas Lake Ice Co supplies $17.18
J.C. Woodrow supplies $43.63
Norman Caple supplies $4.00
Layfield & Co supplies $14.85
Champion & White scavengering $4.75
News, advertiser supplies $7.50
Signed D. McPhaiden, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McDonald; Seconded by Alderman Bethune
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
[Volume 7, Page 312]
Introduction of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Painter; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That a By-Law be introduced to amend By-Law No 177 to determine the fees payable for a music hall license. Carried.
The By-Law was introduced and read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Bethune; Seconded by Alderman McDonald
That in future all appointments made by this Council only tax payers shall be selected. Withdrawn.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden; Seconded by Alderman Coldwell
Whereas it has been reported that certain buildings situate on the rear of Lot 21, Block 14, DL 196 being one row of five shacks 53 feet long by 18 ft 3 in wide and 2 foul privies at the end of same.
Also certain buildings situate on the read of Lot 22, Block 14, DL 196 being 6 shacks on one row 87 ft 6 in long by 19 ft wide and two foul privies at the end of same.
Also certain buildings situate on the rear of Lot 23, Block 14, DL 196 being one row of 10 shacks, 101 feet long by 15 feet wide and foul privy at end of same.
Also certain buildings situate on rear of Lot 25, Block 14, DL 196 being one shack 22 ft long by 17 ft wide.
All of these buildings are built with rough boards on piles over the mud flat of False Creek have become and now are a nuisance ….
[Volume 7, Page 313]
… and dangerous to public health and where as the owners, agents and occupiers of the said buildings have neglected to place the same in a sanitary condition after having been duly notified by this Council so to do.
Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Vancouver and it is hereby declared that the said buildings are a nuisance and dangerous to the public health and do hereby order that the owners, agents of the owners or the occupiers of the said buildings shall pull down and remove the same and in default of their so doing within 8 days from the 22nd of September 1896, it is hereby for the directed and ordered that John H. Carlisle, the Chief of the Fire Brigade of the said City shall destroy and remove the said buildings at the cost of the owners of the said buildings; also that the City Clerk send a copy of this resolution to each owner of the properties in question, and to the occupants of said buildings. Carried.
{The owners of these properties, as listed in the Vancouver Daily World: W.S. Wiffin, E. Johnson, H.J. Bealey, H.B. Towse and the Oppenheimer Brothers}.
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Painter; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Rules be suspended and the By-Law to amend By-Law No 177 read a 2nd time. Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read a 2nd time.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden; Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of By-Law to amend By-Law No 177. Carried.
Alderman Brown was appointed Chairman.
[Volume 7, Page 314]
In Committee the By-Law was read over clause by clause and reported to Council, as complete without amendment.
The rules were again suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman Painter, seconded by Alderman McPhaiden.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Brown gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would introduce a By-Law to raise by way of debentures the sum of $60,000 for water works purposes.
The Council then adjourned.
Thomas Francis McGuigan Henry Collins
City Clerk Mayor
Note:
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily World Newspaper; The City Council, September 22 1896, pg 3
