Vancouver’s First Water Conservation Rules – August 30, 1897

Vancouver’s First Water Conservation Rules – August 30, 1897

Council agreed with the Water and Market Committee’s rule “That ….sprinkling the street with hose by private consumers is strictly forbidden and no person …shall be allowed to sprinkle… lawns, gardens, yards or grounds…except between the hours of 5 and 8 o’clock in the morning and 6 and 10 o’clock in the evening.” The streets were sprinkled with water to keep dust down during dry weather.

This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Krystyna Richards

Illustration: Item : CVA 312-22 – Street sprinkler, Vancouver
[in front of Diamond Liquor Co.]

Text: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31 Vol 7
Volume 7 pages 682 – 689

Vancouver August 30th 1897

[Volume 7 page] 682

The Council met on Monday August 30th 1897.

Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Townley, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, Brown, W.S. MacDonald and D.G. McDonald.

The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications

From A. Williams on behalf of W. H. Remington of Utah, submitting a proposition for the erection of a Smelter in Vancouver.
Laid over to be considered at an adjourned meeting of Council.

From Harry Symons of Toronto enclosing a copy of a letter from J.H. Rothschild of London Eng. stating that he had been successful in securing the capital necessary for the establishment of the Smelting Works of Vancouver.
Laid over to be considered at an adjourned meeting of Council.

From D. Oppenheimer, asking that the C.P.R. Co be encouraged to complete their terminal building and build additional wharves by exempting their right of way from taxation for a number of years.
Referred to the Finance Committee.

From H. Connacher asking that the rocks be cleared away on the street around his premises on Mount Pleasant.
Referred to the Board of Works.

From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed

[Volume 7 page] 683

From Robt Leighton, Secretary of the Vancouver Jockey Club, asking that a sprinkler be put on Powell Street during the races at Hastings.

Moved by Alderman W.S. MacDonald.
Seconded by “ McPhaiden.
That a third sprinkler be fitted up to sprinkle Powell Street during the races.
Lost.

From J.G. Colmer Secretary to Sir Donald A. Smith, acknowledging receipt of photographs of Vancouver.
Filed.

From Geo. R. Maxwell, M.P. acknowledging receipt of resolutions re fish offal on English Bay and Leper Station on Darcy Island.
Filed

The following reports were received and read:-

Fire and Police Committee

The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday August 24th 1897.
Present. Aldermen D.G. McDonald, McQueen, McPhaiden and Townley.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

G.A. Roedde. Supplies 12.50

Thos H. Buster. Expenses to Steveston 1.25

J. Dodson. Supplies 19.40

H.M. Henderson. “ 3.00

Hicks Bros. Hack hire .50

F.A. Lee. “ 3.50

D.J. McPhalin. Carpenter work 2.50

A. Goldstein. Supplies 1.25

McLennan & McFeely. “ 58.41

M.E. McLean. “ 4.75

[Volume 7 page] 684

Communications

From R.A. Rose, San Francisco, acknowledging receipt of order for fire alarm boxes.
Filed

From M. G. McLeod, asking for two months salary while under suspension.
Referred to the City Solicitor

Fireman McGinnis applied for one month’s leave of absence.
Granted provided he supplies a satisfactory substitute.

Resolved that the matter of removing rubbish around the City Hall be left in the hands of the Chairman and Alderman W.S. MacDonald.

sgd D.G. McDonald
Chairman

Moved by Alderman D.G. McDonald
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Board of Works

The Board of Works met on Thursday August 26th 1897.
Present. The Full Board.

Communications

From the City Engineer recommending a permanent steel swing to replace the existing wooden one at Granville Street bridge, as the latter is deteriorating rapidly.

Resolved that the owners of tugs Captain etc at False Creek, the Harbour Master, the manager Electric Railway Company and G.R. Maxwell MP. be invited to attend the next meeting of the Board of Works to discuss the question.

From the Sub Committee, consisting of Aldermen Painter & Clandenning and

[Volume 7 page] 685

the City Engineer reporting on the Street paving plank offered the City for $1900 by Messrs Armstrong and Morrison.
Resolved that the City Council be recommended to purchase the plank at the price around named in Messrs Armstrong and Morrisons offer.

From the City Engineer reporting on the probable cost of necessary sewerage extension.
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to obtain all necessary information regarding the apparatus required for a pumping station for the Prior Street District and report.

From Dr. McAlpine in reference to the grade of sidewalk opposite his store building on Westminster Avenue.
Referred to the City Engineer and Alderman McPhaiden to examine and make the best arrangement possible.

From Col. F. Warren asking for a sidewalk on Nicola Street to the front of his residence.
Referred to the Ward Foreman.

From Rand Bros asking that the City clear the portion of Broughton Street facing Lot 14, Block 33, D.L.85 where Dr. Underhill is building a large residence.
Referred to the Chain Gang in proper turn.

From A. W. Buckland offering to put up and supply street signs.
Laid over till next year for want of funds.

From petitioners in Ward 4, asking to have Raymur Avenue graded between Hastings and Harris Streets.
Laid over till next meeting.

A delegation appeared before the Board in reference to wages due on Gibbons Georgia St. Contract.

After some discussion it was resolved

[Volume 7 page] 686

that the City Treasurer be authorized to pay the wages of the men working on Georgia Street Contract for the amounts coming to them.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

Globe Sign Works 5.25

D.J. McPhalen 10.50

G. Griffiths Granville St bridge 300.

E.J. Kendall Crushed rock 1122.77

Thos Veitch Del “ “ 470.70

S. Elkins etal Labor. 1044.60

sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ Townley
That the Report be adopted with the exception of the Clause in relation to the payment of Gibbons men on the Georgia St Contract.

Moved in amendment by Alderman MacDonald (W. S).
Seconded by Alderman Neelands.
That the Report be adopted as read.
Amendment carried.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met on Friday August 27th 1897.
Present. Aldermen McQueen, McPhaiden, Brown and D.G. McDonald.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

Bell & Platt. Tags 9.00

G.A. Roedde. Supplies 15.50

W.E. Johnstone. Salary 60.00

The following contract was approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto:-

Knowdell, Hodgson & Brown Plumbing Hospital.

[Volume 7 page] 687

A lady waited upon the Board and asked for a lease of a portion of Lot 14 at Stanley Park Bridge for the purpose of erecting a refreshments booth thereon and a building for the sale of cut flowers.
Referred to the City Engineer to ascertain how much spare land there is.

sgd Jas McQueen
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Brown
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Water & Market Committee

The Water & Market Committee held a Special meeting on Monday August 23rd 1897.
Present the full Board.

It was moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That washing windows with hose between the hours of 8 o’clock in the morning and 5 o’clock in the evening shall not be allowed and sprinkling the street with hose by private consumers is strictly forbidden and no person or persons shall be allowed to sprinkle or use in any manner whatsoever the water supplied by the City upon lawns, gardens, yards or grounds of any description except between the hours of 5 and 8 o’clock in the morning and 6 and 10 o’clock in the evening.
Carried

The Board then adjourned.

Sgd Wm Brown
Chairman.

The Board met again on Wednesday August 25th 1897.
Present. Aldermen Brown, Painter, McPhaiden and Neelands.

It was resolved that 4000 cards containing some of the principal rules from the Water Works By.Laws be printed & distributed amongst the consumers.

[Volume 7 page] 688

The following tenders for plumbing the Market building were received:-

Knowdell, Hodgson & Brown $158

Wm Ralph 140.50

S.A. Wye. 184.00

It was decided to accept Wm.Ralph’s tender of $140.50, it being the lowest tender.

An offer was received from the B.C. Land and Investment Agency of all lumber ladders etc used in repairing their building for the sum of $25.00.

The Secretary was instructed to inform Mr. Morgan that the foreman reports that the lumber mentioned would be of very little use in the Market building and that they do not consider it advisable to purchase the same.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

Thos H Boyd. Progress Estimate 614.20

John Boyd & Co. Supplies 20.07

Van City Iron Works Co. “ 37.07

Can Gen’l Elec Co. “ 1.14

J. Storey. “ .70

Cooke & Graham. Market shed 64.66

Water Works Pay Roll. Labor 425.05

sgd Wm Brown
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Motions

Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McQueen
That Alderman Brown be appointed Acting Mayor during the absence of Mayor Templeton.
Carried

[Volume 7 page] 689

Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ W. S. MacDonald
That the Council meet on Friday evening next to consider smelter matters.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Townley
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the Council stand adjourned until Friday evening at 8 P.M.
Carried

W.Brown
Acting Mayor

Thos.F. McGuigan
City Clerk