City Council

MONTHLY COUNCIL SESSION LAST WEEK – Direct Erection of War Memorial On Site Adjoining Veterans’ Building

            The regular monthly meeting of the city council was held in the city hall on Thursday evening of last week.  The mayor presided, and all the aldermen were in attendance.

            After the formal adoption of the minutes of the previous meetings, resolutions as follows were adopted in the course of the session:

            Arnold – Binning: That the war memorial be erected on the plot adjoining the G.W.V.A. building.

            Jones – Flowers: That the matter of placing the order for the war memorial be left in the hands of Mr. R.C. Eakin, with power to act.

            Flowers – Mrs. Laurie: That letter from Mr. Uren be received and he be informed the council cannot accept any responsibility for the expenses outlined in his letter.

            This has reference to a letter received from Mr. Uren claiming that the council should allow him some consideration in the matter of repairs which have been necessitated to his house here since it was used as an emergency hospital during the time of the influenza epidemic.  He states his willingness to allow the rent for that time, but claims the council should meet the bill of about $135 for repairs necessary after.  The council disclaims the responsibility.

            Santo – Jones: That the accounts as presented by the finance committee be passed.

            The report of the City Foreman was received.  It showed gravelling, clearing of the brush away from the new school room, dirt hauled to the high school grounds and other activity, and the employment of the fire team for hauling and sprinkling.

            The Board of Works report was also received and filed, dealing with the usual activities in connection with the water, sewers, sidewalks, and streets.

            Mrs. Laurie – Arnold: That the letter from Mr. W.D. McFarlane be received and filed.

            In his letter Mr. McFarlane complained of damage by flooding to his cellar, which he stated was due to the creek being stopped up through negligence of other parties.

            The report of the fire chief for the month showed two alarms responded to, and two others attended to by members of the brigade without calls being turned in.

            Santo – Jones: That the report of the light superintendent be received and filed and the matter of a fire alarm be left in his hands.

            Mr. Eakin has suggested that for fire alarm purposes the city be divided into four wards with a distinctive signal for each, so that it would be possible to locate the fires easier.

            Mr. Eakin’s light report showed 18 new services, 5 cut out, and 7 removed.  43 street lights were replaced during the month, and a new pole line erected on Eberts Avenue.

            Santo – Mrs. Laurie: That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the agreement with the C.P.R. in connection with the spur track to the power house.

            J. Muirhead, of Vancouver, Provincial Inspector of Electrical Energy, wrote that his department had taken exception to the plans of the B.C. and Alberta Power Co., for running a high voltage line through the city.  He stated that he had arranged with the company to terminate its line of 60,000 volts about the city limits and from that point connection would be made with the existing city line carrying 2,300 volts.  The necessary changes in the agreement could readily be made, he stated.  The letter was received and filed.

            Flowers – Arnold: That the renting of the cement mixer to the B.C. and Alberta Power Company be left with the electrical light superintendent with power to act.

            Flowers – Santo: That the Arena Rink be leased to the Cranbrook Curling Club at a rental of $350 for the curling season.

            Alderman Jones gave notice of motion to amend the Sewer By-law.

            Jones – Arnold: That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement with the provincial government in connection with the loan of $15,000 under the Better Housing Act.

            Mrs. Laurie – Flowers: That grant be made to the Poultry Association conditionally upon the show being held in Cranbrook this year.

            The council then adjourned.

            A further special session was held on Wednesday evening, when the council met the memorial committee of the G.W.V.A.  A final design for a stone memorial was chosen and the order placed.  This means that the sum of $1200 or thereabouts which the city council has been holding for the memorial purposes will be used for this purpose, and the balance of the necessary funds, about $500 or $600 will be provided by the city.