Three more policemen added to the force – November 19, 1888
Three part-time constables added to police force for the remainder of the year. James Stanford paid $790 for work to date on City Hall.
J.H. Carlisle appointed Vancouver’s License, Fire & Health Inspector – January 24, 1887
City hall upper floor to be offices for Mayor, City Engineer & Assessment Commissioner – December 20, 1886
John Clough (Vancouver’s infamous one-armed jailer) to be paid $20 for past services, and a salary of $5 per month in future. City Engineer granted $200 bonus in compensation for much extra work “thrown on his shoulders” during the year. A great many accounts reviewed and approved for payment before year end.
Council’s first meeting at the new City Hall on Powell Street – November 8, 1886
The Finance Committee reported purchase of “12 Arm Chairs, one Long Table for Council Chambers, one hanging lamp, 4 green holland blinds, 1 ton of Coal, Coal scuttle and shovel, 2 nests of pigeon holes for the City Clerk and Treasurer’s offices.” (The long table is still on display at the Hastings Mill Museum.)
Vancouver’s city hall is complete – October 18, 1886
Building of City Hall complete; contractor F. W. Sentell to be paid in full. Thos. H. Boyd awarded contract for improvement of Cambie Street. “On account of the large amount of street work contracted for”, Civil Engineer D.L. McCammon appointed Streets Inspector at a per diem rate of $1.50 for a minimum of three hours’ work supervising road construction.
Post office must be moved “before the rainy season sets in” – October 5, 1886
Council requests Post Master General move the post office “before the rainy season sets in” to some point between Abbott and Carroll Streets. The picture shows the small clapboard post office on Hastings Street. Board of Works was authorized to build a Kitchen and Water Closet in rear of City Hall and a gaol yard.
Vancouver city hall, fire hall, lockup will be built right away for $2,000 – August 30, 1886
City will build Fire Hall & Lockup ($743) and a City Hall ($1,280). Council will meet in the office of David Oppenheimer on Powell Street until City Hall is complete. Proposal to build a slaughterhouse on the south side of False Creek refused on grounds of public health.
Four lots donated for Vancouver City Hall by D. Oppenheimer – August 2, 1886, 7:30 pm
Four building lots accepted as a gift from Mr. David Oppenheimer as the site for City Hall and Civic offices. C. M. Morris decided on as City Engineer. Salary fixed at $60 per month plus room in the Fire Hall.
Police Magistrate J. Boultbee cleared of charges – July 28, 1886
Police Investigation committee presents their report. David Oppenheimer offers a choice of two city lots on Powell Street as a donation for future City Buildings. Board of Works may spend twenty five dollars to clear all flammable materials from Cambie Street from the Bay to Cordova Street, providing the property owners pay the rest of the cost.