City Engineers Letter Book Excerpt: December 12 1890 – June 1, 1893
(Reports on infrastructure rather than Health) – oftentimes, health emergencies, or concern for the potentials for such emergencies encouraged further city works. From the earliest survey which I undertook, recall that the fear of diphtheria caused people to request/ demand better sewerage services. This also shows up in the secondary literature which I collected in the medical research section.
What can be concluded in the pre-1895 period is that the predominant attention of the City Engineer was on the construction of sewers and sanitary conditions. This does not mean, however, that there was not simultaneously a great deal of other infrastructure development going on in the City at the same time. Sewers and electric lighting, sidewalks, curbing and guttering, DRAINS, plumbing rules, ‘plumbing without permit,’ street extensions, sanitary conditions, were clearly all a part of the same late Victorian Era physical development in North American cities which followed the trend in Britain, and indeed, as is witnessed in the secondary literature, throughout the expanding British Commonwealth, as it was at that time.
When considering this material remember that the dates I have chosen to focus upon are 1890-1914. Earlier material from the 1880s is available but has generally been rendered illegible due to damp.
Outgoing correspondence indexed by the surname of the addressee
May 1st [18]91
P.S. Archibald Esq. C. E.
Chief Engineer of Intercolonial Rail
– Moncton-
Dear Sir: –
I am instructed to inform you that we are about to construct a sewer under the Intercolonial Railway track at Hanover Street, near Richmond – We have commenced work on the sewer, and will not touch that part under the track till you have had time to reply – incase you should deem it advisable to appoint an inspector or make other arrangements to guard against accidents. Mr. Keating, City-Engineer, is to be away for some time and during his absence I will attend to the work.
Awaiting your answer
I am yours truly,
Richard Prat
May 8th 1891
W. D. Hollinger Esq.
Chief Superintendent
Moncton, NB
Dear Sir,-
Some days ago I wrote to Mr. P.S. Archibald informing him that we were about to connect a sewer under the Intercolonial Railway at Hanover St. near Richmond. In his reply he informed me that we have to make formal application to you for provision, as the land mentioned has been expropriated by the Crown for Railway purposes. I have searched the Registry Office and can find no mention of any transaction between the Crown and the City office. […] I forwarded your information through our City Recorder W.F. McCoy who was acting for the Dominion Government at the time all the lots were bought for the Richmond and North St. Extension of the I.C.R [Intercolonial Railway] he tells me that no transaction never took place concerning Hanover St. I have complied with Mr. [Richards?] request and await a plan of the sewer – which I trust will be satisfactory. […]
Yours very truly,
Richard Prat
City Engineer’s Office
October 30th [18]91
Henry Walker Esq.
Mumford Road.
Sir,
A survey has been made for a new pipe line coming in north of the Cotton Factory. Part of the proposed line runs through your property as per enclosed plan. I have been requested by the City Engineer to obtain a certificate of the cost of right of way. The rights required are – from time to time and at all times with the City’s Officers […] for the purpose of laying, repairing, cleaning, renewing and maintaining the said line of pipe and making connections therewith, the City doing as little damage as possible to the said land, and restoring the said land to be excavated as nearly as reasonably practicable to its original place and condition. Please let know on what terms a right of way can be obtained by the city. An early answer will oblige.
Yours etc.
H.W. Johnston
City Engineer’s Office
Halifax, NS
Nov. 7th 1891
Daniel Cronon Esq.
Dear Sir,
I notified you on Oct. 14th from the authority of the Board of Works to connect properties owned by you on Water St. with the sewer. No permit has yet been taken out by you [.] […] I shall have to bring the matter before the Board and request them to undertake the work at your expense and risk.
Yours,
F.W.W. Doane
City Engineer
Nov. 7th 1891
Stephen Tobin Esq.
Queen Building
Hollis Str.
Dear Sir,
The drains for the properties no. 93 + 94 – 96 + 98 – 73 + 75 Upper Water Str. will have to be put in at once. The frost is beginning to get into the ground now and the work will have to be done.
Yours, F.W.W. Doane, City Engineer
Nov. 20th 1891
Patrick Godfery
413 + 415 [Illegible] St.
Dear Sir,
I notified you on the 7th to put in your drain at no. 302 Water St. I have heard nothing from you. If you want to deepen your drain you must do it at once as you will not be permitted to open this street after this year.
Yours, F.W.W. Doane, City Engineer
Dec. 8th 1891
Daniel Cronon Esq. (as a follow up to the excerpt from November 7th 1891)
City
Dear Sir,
We are finishing our work in Water St. and I am instructed by the Board of Works to put in all drains required at once. As you have not connected no. 84 I shall have to have it connected at your expense and shall proceed with this work this week.
Yours
D. F.W.W. Doane,
City Engineer
