Council asked BC Electric Co to extend their Pender Street Car Service to the new City Hall on Westminster Avenue. The Water and Market Committee approved payment to Robertson & Hackett (pictured above) supplies $146.05. A Music Hall By-law was overturned 6-3. Requests to the Province of BC for 1888 were: Hospital $5,000, Women’s Hospital $2,000, Fire Department $1,000, Drill shed Site $9,000.
This document was transcribed in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: CVA 1376-42
Robertson & Hackett Sawmills Ltd wholesale and retail store
Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S31, Volume 8, pages 94 – 100
To see or download photos of the original handwritten pages, click on the buttons below (two parts)
The Council met on Monday December 13th 1897
Present: His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Townley, Painter, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, Brown, W. S. MacDonald, D. G. McDonald and Bethune.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed.
From the City Solicitor giving an opinion on the rights of the Street Railway Co on 9th Avenue. Referred to the Light Committee.
The following Reports were received and read:
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday December 8th 1897.
Present: the full Board
It was resolved to carry a 4” pipe one block down Prince Edwards Street and place a hydrant for the protection of W.A. McIntosh & Co and the BC Cattle Co’s slaughter houses.
It was resolved not to lay a pipe on 13th Avenue from Westminster Avenue to Westminster Road at present as there is not enough applicants for water.
It was resolved that the Chairman and the City Engineer be authorized to purchase a curtain for the stage in the City Hall (new).
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
City Grocery Co supplies $92.56
J. Evans Jr expenses $1.50
J.C. Woodrow supplies $51.40
Spelson & Co supplies $73.50
Vancouver City Iron Works $7.30
[Volume 8, Page 95]
John Boyd & Co supplies $9.92
Hastings SawMill Co supplies $29.59
William Ralph supplies $34.87
Union SS Co towing $38.40
Armstrong & Morrison supplies $559.00
Willard & Robertson supplies $23.50
E. Clough supplies $22.00
A. McKelvie & Co supplies $6.72
George Adams labor $14.00
Henry Jenkins labor $5.60
John McLean labor $14.00
J.K. Sutherland supplies $1.65
Thos Dunn & Co supplies $25.59
Robertson & Hackett supplies $146.05 *illustrated on this page*
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $15.78
City Treasurer supplies $50.00
News Advertiser supplies $3.00
Thos. Dunn & Co supplies $79.52
Water Works Pay Roll labor $566.50
C.R. Oldershaw final estimate $146.25
Signed William Brown,
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown;
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on December 9th 1897.
Present: the full Board
Communications
From petitioners of Ward 5, asking that the 6-foot walk on 12th Avenue be extended from Ontario to Manitoba Streets. Referred to the Ward Foreman for attention.
From William Gaskell, asking for 140 feet of 3 plank walk on 9th Avenue east of Prince Edward Street. Referred to Ward Foreman for attention.
From Thomas Dunn & Co re condition of lane ….
[Volume 8, Page 96]
… in rear of their store. Being attended to.
From Mason etal, wanting a sidewalk on Princess Street. Referred to Ward Foreman for attention.
Resolved also that the Ward Foreman lay 2 small pieces of sidewalk on Keefer and Harris Streets.
Mr. Grant, Architect, submitted plan of one storey brick addition to go up in rear of Robertson & Hackett Block, Granville Street.
Plan approved.
The City Engineer was authorized to have the foot of Abbott Street opposite Transfer Co Stables made safe and replanked where necessary.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
J.N. Menzies labor $25.00
Clarke & Stuart supplies $13.82
E.J. Kendall supplies $440.30
Thomas Veitch hauling $162.41
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $1.60
E. Clough express $.50
Thos Dunn & Co supplies $37.60
Robertson & Hackett supplies $3.14
McLennan & McFeely supplies $2.67
W. L. Tait supplies $128.95
S. Elkins etal labor $864.65
Signed H.J. Painter,
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter;
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
[Volume 8, page 97]
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday December 10th 1897.
Present: Aldermen McQueen, Townley, Brown and Bethune
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Clarke & Stuart supplies $24.43
BC Electric Co supplies $9.67
CPR Co telegram $1.92
Communications
From Robert Ward & Co, asking that the Northern Assurance Co be given a share of the Civic Insurance.
Filed for reference.
Form Colonel Falkland Warren asking for information in relation to post CPR exemption and the value of proposed exemptions. Resolved that he be referred to the By-Law in the Gazette of May 26th 1897 for information as post exemptions and that as to present exemptions the information can be obtained from the Assessor.
From J. R. Linton, asking the City to assist him getting a title to the water lots in the rear of the Sunnyside Hotel. Resolved that he be informed that the Council can do nothing for him.
From Robert McPherson, M.P.P., asking the City to name their appropriations for the coming year. Resolved that the following appropriations be asked from the Provincial Government:
City Hospital $5000
Woman’s Hospital $2000
Fire Department $1000
Drill Shed Site $9000
[Volume 8, page 98]
From the City Solicitor advising that in the Chinese Smuggling cases, the City should pay the fines less the expenses due for Board and other charges, as the offence is against the Dominion Law and not the City By-Law.
Resolved that a cheque be sent to the Customs for the balance of the fines imposed after deducting Board of prisoners and paying other charges. Accompany cheque with copy of Solicitors opinion.
The matter of taking spaces in the publication entitled “From Ocean to Ocean” was again considered. The matter was finally left in the hands of the Mayor and Chairman to suggest the amount if any that should be voted after they have interviewed Mr. J. Lawlor Woods, the representative of the Co.
Resolved that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the lease between the City and Mrs. Marshall for the Lot near Stanley Park Bridge and attach the Corporate Seal thereto.
The City Solicitor submitted a draft of an agreement between the Bank of BNA and the City whereby the City agrees to repurchase certain School Debentures to the amount of $70000 to be held in the meantime by the Bank.
It was resolved that the agreement be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto if found in order.
Signed James McQueen,
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman Bethune
That the Report be adopted by adding a clause providing for a grant of $350.00 for advertising Vancouver in the publication entitled “From Ocean to Ocean”.
Carried.
[Volume 8, page 99]
Introduction of By-Laws
That the By-Law to appoint the Polling Places, the time and to appoint Deputy Returning Officers for holding the Municipal Elections for 1898 be read a first time.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the City Clerk be instructed to communicate with the BC Electric Co and ask them to extend their Pender Street Car Service to the new City Hall on Westminster Avenue when the alterations are completed and on 9th Avenue from Westminster Avenue to Bridge Street.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Mayor be authorized to execute on behalf of the City , the agreement with the Bank of BNA selling the School Debenture to the Bank on certain conditions contained therein.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman MacDonald
That all salaries falling due on the first of January 1898 be paid on or before the 24th day of December 1897.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Brown;
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the following account be paid
M. Rockett etal market repairs $260.70
Carried.
[Volume 8, page 100]
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Aldermen McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the Polling By-Law be read a second time.
Carried.
Moved by Aldermen McQueen;
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the By-Law.
Carried.
Alderman McQueen was appointed Chairman.
In Committee the By-Law was read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete.
The Rules were suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman McQueen, seconded by Alderman W.S. MacDonald.
Moved by Alderman Townley
Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the Music Hall By-Law be read a 2nd time.
Lost.
Ayes: Aldermen Townley, Painter & McPhaiden
Nays: Aldermen McQueen, Neelands, Brown, W.S. MacDonald, D.G. McDonald and Bethune
The Council then adjourned.
Thomas Francis McGuigan
City Clerk
W. Templeton
Mayor
