Halifax Council

Summary of Halifax City Council discussions related to the Halifax Explosion (102-1A)

This page contains City of Halifax Council minutes (102-1A) and submissions (102-1B) relating to the Halifax Explosion. Meeting dates are hyperlinked to a PDF containing digitized minutes of that session, while PDFs of digitized submissions are linked to their reference numbers.

December 6, 1917 - morning session

  • City leaders gather at City Hall within hours of the Explosion to begin organization of relief efforts.
  • Topics discussed: Military Assistance; Medical Assistance; Fire Apparatus; Organization; Appointment of Committees
  • Committees formed: Executive Committee; Transportation Committee; Food Committee; Finance Committee;  Mortuary Committee

December 6, 1917 - afternoon session

  • Committees formed during the morning meeting were ratified and confirmed.
  • Mr. Justice Harris, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reports that a credit has been opened at the Bank of Nova Scotia, for various committees to access when needed

December 7, 1917 - morning session

  • Letters of sympathy and offers of assistance are read from: Regina, B.C., Washington, D.C, Vancouver, Boston, Quebec, Saskatoon, Hamilton, St. John, and “practically every town in Nova Scotia”
  • List of headlines:
    • Accommodation Refugees
    • Medical Assistance – Doctors and Nurses
    • Sympathy
    • Committees – Appointment of
    • Finance
    • Accommodation – Warehouse Western Union Cable Co. Service
    • Medical Assistance – St. John Ambulance Brigade
    • School Board Assistance – Teachers
    • Contributions – Moncton, N.B.
    • Reconstruction – Repairs
    • Transportation – Special Train
    • Distribution of Relief – Food
    • Registration
    • Accommodation – Knights of Columbus Hall, Shelter
    • Contributions
    • Transportation – Automobiles
    • Election to be avoided

December 12, 1917 - afternoon session

 Board of Control submits reports on the following topics, Council discusses:

  • Acquiring and Rebuilding Devastated area of City – submission includes a letter from H.W. Johnston, Acting City Engineer, who encourages the City to acquire the devastated district in order to re-plan and re-build the area. 102-B.24.431
  •  Appointment of Chief Mortuary Officer – submission includes a appointing Arthur S. Barnstead, barrister, as Chief Mortuary Officer and responsible for those killed during the Explosion. 102-1B.24.432
  •  Cemetery Lots – report from the Board discusses arrangements for the burial of the dead at the Fairview Cemetery Co., Ltd. 102-1B.24.433
  •  Fire Department – Appointment of Chief and District Chief – Edward Condon, Chief of the Halifax Fire Department, and William Brunt, District Chief, were both killed while on duty during the Explosion; submissions include a letter from Fire Board Chairman and Controller, John Hines, with recommendations for their replacements, as well as a letter from J.W. Churchill nominating himself as a candidate for Chief. 102-1B.24.435
  •  Appointment of Guards for the City – the military is appointed to guard the devastated areas of the City. 102-1B.24.434
  •  Burial of the Dead – Submissions include an agreement from A.S. Barnstead, and With &Co., Ltd., the Nova Scotia Undertaking Co., and Joseph Spencer, in reference to the burial of bodies in the City for which the City is responsible. 102-1bB.24.430
  •  Resolution is passed and submitted for printing in all daily newspapers, states that Council expresses sympathy and gratitude to all assistance provided thus far. 102-1B.24.437, 102-1B.24.438
  •  Railway transportation for persons to and from the city – referred to the Board of Control 

December 20, 1917 - evening session

Board of Control submits reports:

  • Rehabilitation (of the city following the Explosion) – submissions include a letter from D. MacGillivray, Chairman of the Halifax Board of Trade, and the Board of Control, requesting a conference to appoint an authoritative body to deal with the rehabilitation of the City. 102-1B.24.464
  • Town Planning – submissions include a letter from H.W. Johnston, Acting Chief Engineer, and the Board, re: Mr. Thomas Adams, Planning Advisor of the Commission of Conservation, providing his services for town planning following the Explosion. 102-1B.24.461
  • Gratuities to Families of Firemen – the Board seeks authorization for the City to give $1,000 to each of the families of the firemen who perished during the Explosion (Firemen – Edward Condon, Chief Fire Department; W.M. Brunt, Assistant Chief; William Broderick, Captain No. 1 Engine; Michael Maltus, Hoseman on Motor Engine; Frank Killeen, Hoseman on Motor Engine; Walter Hennessey, Hoseman No. 5 Engine; John Duggan, Hoseman No. 2 Hose). 102-1B.24.444
  • Memorial Service New Year’s Day – submissions include a letter from the [Anglican] Church of Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Clergy Committee, to request that Tuesday, January 1, 1918 be proclaimed as a day of memorial for the victims of the Explosion. 102-1B.24.460
  •  Safety to Shipping (precautions of ships entering and exiting the Harbour) [note: missing from submissions to Council]. 

January 10, 1918 - evening session

  • p. 123 – Theft of Liquor from Inspector’s Office – Council moves to hold an investigation into the article published by the Evening Mail, which accused elected representatives of the City and City Officials of breaking into the office of Liquor Inspector Tracey and stealing “booze.”

 Board of Control submits the following relevant reports:

  • Fire Department – report for December; report does not include the fires or losses caused by the Explosion, but does list the firemen who were killed and injured on Dec. 6, 1917 – E.P. Condon, W.T. Broderick, Frank Leahy, John Hennessey, Joseph Johnston, and Guss Hogsnaon. 102-1B.25.4
  • Emergency Shelters on Common and Military Property – letter from W.E. Thompson, Colonel, consenting to the erection on the Halifax Common, the Citadel Glacis, and Camp Hill, emergency shelters for those rendered homeless by the Explosion. 102-1B.25.17
  • Repairs to School Buildings – submissions discuss the estimate amount required to conduct repairs to the damage caused by the Explosion at Country Academy, Tower Road School, Quinpool Road School, LeMarchant Street School, St. Mary’s Boys’ School, St. Mary’s Girls’ School, Manuel Training School, Alexandra School, St. Patrick’s Boys’ School, and Africville School. The estimated repair cost was $25,100.00. 102-1B.25.10
  • Halifax Appeal for Full Reparation – Letter from the Mayor that was sent to all incorporated cities and towns in NS soliciting sympathy with Halifax in an appeal to the Dominion Government to make full reparation for the material loss caused by the Explosion. 102-1B.25.1.v1, 102-1B.25.1.v2
  • Investigation into Catastrophe submissions include a letter from the Board of Control to the Council stating that a request to the Government to investigate the cause of the Explosion and reoccurrence prevention measures was sent to the Prime Minister as well as cabinet ministers from Halifax. A reply from the Prime Minister’s Secretary is also included. 102-1B.25.15
  • Removal of Debris Richmond District – The Board advises Council that the Reconstruction Committee gave a contract to Cavicchi & Pegano for clearing the debris in the Richmond District and require a piece of land to build a bunkhouse for their workmen. Acting City Engineer recommends the Incinerator Lot and seeks Council’s authorisation. 102-1B.25.13

January 31, 1918 - afternoon session

Board of Control submits reports:

  • Relief Advisory Committee – Halifax Relief Commission requests that a Relief Advisory Committee be appointed; committee to consist of the Mayor, Controllers Hines and Murphy, and Aldermen Godwin, Guildford, and Parker. 102-1B.25.19
  •  Tenders for Motor Fire Engine – Board recommends the Council purchase a new fire engine to replace “Patricia,” which was destroyed in the Explosion. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Co. Toronto’s bid is recommended for acceptance. 102-1B.25.20 

February 7, 1918

Board of Control submits reports:

  • Annual Provincial Exhibition – Board recommends to Council that despite the devastation caused by the Explosion, including to the Exhibition grounds, that the Council should support and attempt to rehabilitate or re-establish the event. 102-1B.25.27
  • Public Schools – Gratuity $1,000.00 to Mrs. Annie Pritchard – Board recommends paying Mrs. Pritchard a gratuity for her husband, John Pritchard, janitor at Richmond School, who was killed while working during the Explosion. 102-1B.25.40

February 14, 1918

  • p. 137 – Provincial Exhibition – Relief Advisory Committee to take up with the Relief Commission, that the Commission pay a rental to the Exhibition Commission for use of the property as temporary housing, in order for the Exhibition Commission to gain revenue lost due to the destruction of the property caused by the Explosion.
  • p. 140 – Fire Protection Emergency Shelters (fire protection for temporary dwellings on the Exhibition Ground).

February 25, 1918

  • p. 162 – Infectious Diseases Hospital – Board of Control verbal report: Relief Commission had called for tenders to build a temporary hospital for infectious diseases – at cost of $27,000 in total. Commission is only prepared to spend $10,000 on a temporary structure.
  • p. 163 – Board of Control disagrees with proposal, and instead wishes to repair the damaged hospital at Rockhead rather than build a temporary structure, with the $10,000 from the Commission, the $8,000 claimed in damages, and the remaining $9,000 financed by the City.

March 4, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • Infectious Diseases Hospital – Board of Control recommends reconstruction of the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Rockhead. 102-1B.25.76
  • Protest of three members of the City Health Board against reconstruction of Infectious Disease Hospital – Rockhead – letter from the Chairman of the City Health Board and two other members who oppose the reconstruction of the hospital at Rockhead prison. 102-1B.25.77
  • p. 169-170 – Infectious Disease Hospital – to be further referred to as the Isolation Hospital. Referred back to the Board of Control to hire an architect to prepare plans for a permanent hospital on the City Home property, at Morris St. rather than Rockhead.
  • Board of Control then verbally reports they recommend that the City build a temporary Isolation Hospital on the City Home property, rather than reconstruct the hospital at Rockhead.

March 7, 1918

Board of Control presents 36 reports, including:

  • p. 173 – North End Fire Protection – Board recommends that the Council request the Relief Commission to build a temporary fire station on the Incinerator property or give the Fire Department use of one of their buildings for a temporary station in order to protect the North End, including the temporary housing on the Exhibition Grounds. 102-1B.25.59a, 102-1B.25.61v1, 102-1B.25.61v2
  • p. 174 – Relief Expenditure $16,347.98 – submission includes accounts related to Relief Work after the Explosion submitted to the Advisory Relief Committee. Board of Control recommends that the City request a loan of the above amount from the Relief Commission. 102-1B.25.75
  • p. 177 – Gratuity to Daughter of John Spruin – Board recommends a payment of $500 be made to Florence, daughter of John Spruin, a fireman killed in the Explosion. 102-1B.25.61a
  • p. 180-181 – Loan $20,000 from Relief Commission for Fire Department – Board report recommends a temporary loan in order to replace Fire Department equipment that was destroyed during the Explosion. 102-1B.25.59
  • p. 181 – Isolation Hospital – submission includes a letter from the Relief Commission rejecting the Board’s latest proposal for the building of an Isolation Hospital. The Board recommends to Council to accept the Commission’s letter and to request that they proceed with the building of an emergency hospital on the City Home property, Morris St. 102-1B.25.60
  • p. 181-182 – Report His Worship the Mayor re: Tracey Liquor Enquiry – Two letters (Feb. 20th and 28th) from F.E. Barrett, Secretary of the Social Service Council of Nova Scotia, requesting that the allegations against the Council be properly investigated before a County Court Judge. Also includes a newspaper clipping from the Herald, March 7th, 1918, criticizing the Council for not responding to the letters and not launching an investigation into the allegations. 102-1B.25.197 (includes newspaper clipping)
  • In response to the allegation from the Evening Mail accusing Council members of breaking into the Liquor Inspector’s office and stealing liquor, the Mayor conducted an investigation into the allegations [first mentioned Jan. 10, 1918]. The Board of Control submission is a letter from the Mayor that states his investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of the Council. In the Council meeting minutes: Alderman Macnab proposes a resolution related to the incident.

April 3, 1918

  • p. 185 – Council summoned to a meeting with the Halifax Relief Commission to discuss “the provisions of House of Assembly Bill No. 81 entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Halifax Relief Commission.”
  • p. 186 – Council passes a motion to notify the Premier of Nova Scotia that they wish to have “Bill No. 82 An Act to Incorporate the Halifax Relief Commission” [minutes use both no. 81 and no. 82, but it is correctly no. 81] withdrawn from the Legislature.

April 4, 1918

  • p. 189 - Halifax Relief Commission: letter from R.E. Finn, M.P.P.; House of Assembly Committee on Law Amendments to meet with City Council the following morning [April 5th, 1918] at 11am to discuss “An Act to Incorporate the Halifax Relief Commission.”
  • Board of Control report: Relief Commission Act of Incorporation – submission includes letter from R.E. Finn proposing a meeting with the Council. 102-1B.25.106

April 12, 1918

  • Council discusses proposed act to abolish Board of Control.
  • House of Assembly Bill No.97 “An Act to enable a plebiscite to be taken in the City of Halifax as to form of Civic Government” is motioned but lost.
  • Resolution proposed by Alderman R.B. Colwell which states reasoning for bill is in part due to the needs of the city following the Explosion.

April 25, 1918

Board of Control presents reports:

  • p. 205 – Loan $20,000 to Pay Relief Bills – letter (102-1B.25.114) and resolution (102-1B.25.112) – Board of Control recommends that the City Treasurer negotiate a loan of above amount from the Relief Commission in order to pay Relief Accounts. Council submits and passes a resolution for Treasurer to negotiate with the Commission. 102-1B.25.112, 102-1B.25.114

May 6, 1918

Board of Control report:

  • Relief Advisory Committee – Mayor approves Advisory Committee to consist of four, rather than the six members under the previous administration. Committee members are to be the Mayor, Controller Finlay, and Aldermen Godwin and Parker.
  • p. 9 of minutes: council approves. 102-1B.25.150

June 4, 1918

  • Informal meeting of the City Council with members of the Halifax Relief Commission.
  • Board of Control submission – Relief Commission’s Policy of Restoration. 102-1B.25.192
  • Topics in discussion:
    • Rebuilding of destroyed houses, the development of properties in the North End by the Commission
    • Devastated district defined as “the portion of the City bounded westerly by Robie Street and Longard Road, easterly by Campbell Road, northerly by Leeds Street (running past the Rockhead property) and southerly by the Wellington barracks property and Russel Street extenstion. The area containing about three hundred and twenty-five acres.”
    • Architects for the rebuilding are Mr. Ross and Mr. McDonald from Montreal.
    • Street changes and general planning development handled by Thomas Adams of the Commission of Conservation, Ottawa.
    • Manager of the Reconstruction Department – Mr. George H. Archibald.
    • Rehabilitation Department under the leadership of Dr. Cutton, coadjutors Miss Wisdom and Miss Haliburton.
    • As of the date of this report, the Commission had considered 13,838 claims following the Explosion, disbursed over $2 million, appraised 750 properties, and compiled a list of 3,500 houses needing repairs, and the Pension Board dealt with 577 pensions, totaling $1,750,000.
    • Questions from Aldermen and citizens regarding the rebuilding of individual homes in the devastated area.

For a map showing boundaries of devastated district, see Lou Collins fonds, CR 30B.48

June 6, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • p. 49 – Fire Hose Destroyed in Explosion December 6th. [102-1B does not include this report, but instead has a report entitled “Fire Hose Destroyed in Riot, May 25, 1918”].
  • p. 51 – Fire Department Motor Car for Chief – Board recommends purchase of a car for the Fire Department Chief, whose car was destroyed in the Explosion, report adopted and referred back to Board of Control. 102-1B.26.267

July 4, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • p. 58 – Explosion Accounts – Board recommends payment of accounts $12,432.84[?] incurred by various departments as a result of the Explosion; report adopted and accounts to be paid, motion passed. 102-1B.26.284
  • p. 61 – Market Building Rental by Relief Commission letter from the Relief Commission re: their rental of the City Market Building for storage at $200.00 per month; adopted, motion passed. 102-1B.26.268
  • p. 66 – School Buildings – Explosion Damage – Board of School Commissioners request loan of $275,000.00 for repairs to school buildings damaged during the Explosion; report adopted, motion passed. 102-1B.25.194 [hard to read, damaged papers]

July 11, 1918 - afternoon session 
Board of Control reports:

  • p. 70 – Fire Department Chief’s Motor Car– report re: purchase of a car for the Chief of the Fire Department. 102-1B.26.267
  • p. 72-73 – Loan -$500,000.00 for Explosion Expenditure – Board recommends an application be made to the Minister of Finance, Ottawa, for a $500,000 loan for expenditures related to the Explosion and “to make borrowings from the Relief Commission on amount same”; report adopted, motion passed. 102-1B.26.303

July 11, 1918 - evening session 

  • p. 77 – Gratuities to Dependents of Firemen Killed – Gratuities of $1,000 each to be paid to the families of the firemen who were killed in the Explosion, referred to the Board of Control to see if they are available.
  • p. 78 – Gratuity to Widow of Janitor of School Building Killed – referred to Board of Control as to whether the $1,000 gratuity for the family of the Janitor of Richmond School is available. Board of Control minutes re: gratuities

July 29, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • p. 84 – Explosion Taxes on Properties in Devastated Area – report from City Assessor re: taxes in areas devastated by the Explosion; report referred back to Board for further consideration. 102-1B.25.238
  • p. 84 – City Hall Repairs and Alterations – report from Assistant City Engineer requesting confirmation that the Board of Control came to a resolution re: repairs to City Hall caused by damage from the Explosion and the riot of May 25th. 102-1B.25.236
  • p. 85 – Explosion Repairs to City Buildings – report from City Engineer re: tenders for repairs to City Buildings damaged during the Explosion; report adopted, motion passed. 102-1B.25.220
  • p. 86 – Explosion-School Buildings Repairs – letter from Deputy Provincial Secretary re: school repairs contracts with S.M. Brookfield (Bloomfield High and Joseph Howe Schools) and W.T. Harris & Son, Ltd. (Chebucto, Oxford, and St. Patrick’s Girls’ High). 102-1B.25.253
  • p. 86 – Explosion-School Buildings Repairs – letter from the Deputy Provincial Secretary re: loan of $275,000 for Explosion repairs to school buildings and $1,307.50 for the purchase of two portable school buildings for extra accommodation for schoolchildren in the devastated area. Governor in Council will hear application on Saturday, July 27, 1918 at 11am. 102-1B.25.226
  • p. 87 – Tracey Liquor Enquiry – submission includes a report from Deputy Mayor Godwin and a letter from Judge Wallace, Judge of County Court, re: the theft of liquor from Liquor Inspector Tracey’s office. 102-1B.25.221

August 8, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • p. 91 – Explosion Accounts – City Health Board – Board of Control recommends payment of City Health Board Accounts chargeable to Relief expenditure. 102-1B.26.345
  • p. 95 – Explosion – Fire Department Repairs “Patricia” – Letter from The American LaFrance Fire Engine Co., of Canada requesting payment for the repairs made to the fire engine “Patricia.” Board recommends the payment of $6,000 be made. 102-1B.25.201
  • p. 96 – Explosion – Furniture Repairs City Hall – Board recommends payment to C.A. Leverman for repairs to furniture in City Hall that were damaged by the Explosion. 102-1B.26.343
  • p. 98 – Explosion – School Building Repairs, Order in Council – Board report covers order of the Governor in Council permitting the City to issue debentures to raise $100,000 for repairs to school buildings damaged in the Explosion. 102-1B.26.335
  • p. 99 – Explosion – Taxation on Properties in Devastated Area – Board of Control reports that all tax bills should be sent out by the Assessor; discounts are applicable on property taxes of those affected by the Explosion. 102-1B.26.319

August 26, 1918

Board of Control reports:

  • p. 101-102 – Bonds for Loan of $500,000 from Relief Commission – adopted and motion passed. Resolution submitted by Council that states the stipulations of the loan. 102-1B.26.314

September 5, 1918

  • Ten aldermen (of 12) on the City Council resigned between August 31 and September 3. The following Aldermen tendered their resignation to the City Clerk: H.S. Colwell, Hugh E. Macnab, R.B. Bolwell, Frank A. Gillis, J.E. Furness, E.J. Kelly, W.G. Foley, H.L. Hart, Michael Day, R.D. Guildford.
  • NOTE: No quorum existed for Council following these resignations. Between September 1918 and June 1919, Mayor Hawkins and the Board of Control ran the City. A plebiscite was held April 30, 1919, during which eligible voters voted to get rid of the Board of Control and revert to a city council made up of 18 aldermen, which had been in place up until the Board of Control was instated in 1913 (Council Minutes, 124; Roper, 63). Following the municipal elections of May 28, 1919, eighteen aldermen were elected and City Council was reinstated on June 3, 1919 (Roper, 63). Roper, Henry. “The Halifax Board of Control: The Failure of Municipal Reform, 1906-1919.” Acadiensis 14, 2 (1985): 46-65.

October 8, 1918

  • Samuel Walter McCall, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, visits Halifax.
  • p. 112 – Civic Address to Governor McCall of Massachusetts, taken from the Morning Chronicle.
  • p. 113 – The Civic Address, read to Gov. McCall by the City Clerk Monaghan.
  • p. 114 – The Governor’s Reply, discusses Massachusetts’ response to the Explosion, and relationship between Canada and the U.S.
  • p. 115 – Address by the Mayor.

June 5, 1919

  • First meeting of the City Council since August 26, 1918
  • p. 26 – Explosion Repairs to School Buildings – Board of School Commissioners request $16,654.80 for payment for accounts for Explosion repairs.
  • p. 36 – Relief Advisory Committee – Mayor, Alderman Finlay, Godwin, Power, and Guildford are appointed to the Committee.

July 3, 1919

  • p. 126-128 – Explosion – Loan $25,000.00 for Schools and City Property Damage – report from the Finance Committee with letter from Board of School Commissioners requesting a loan to pay off accounts for repairs associated with the Explosion. 102-1B.25.248
  • Resolution City Council re: Loan $25,000 from Relief Commission for Explosion Repairs Schools and City Property. 102-1B.28.454

July 25, 1919

  • p. 207-209 – Fire Department Motor Driver William Wells – report from the Committee of Fire Wards re: pay of William Wells, who was the only crew member of fire engine “Patricia” who survived the Explosion and suffered great injuries and was disabled as a result. 102-1B.27.95
  • p. 219 – Explosion – Cost of School Buildings – Alderman Regan requests a report from the Finance Committee re: whether the Relief Commission will pay for new school buildings.

August 6, 1919

  • p. 246 – Explosion Accounts – reports from Finance Committee and City Auditors re: certain Explosion accounts. 102-1B.27.154

September 25, 1919

  • p. 362-363 – Explosion – Cost of School Buildings – report from Finance Committee on the amount to be contributed by the Relief Commission toward the cost of construction of school buildings that were destroyed by the Explosion. 102-1B.27.180

November 27, 1919

  • p. 566 – Explosion – Fire Department Accounts – report from the Committee of Firewards discussing the payment of accounts chargeable to the Explosion. 102-1B.28.360
  • p. 575 – Public Schools Loan $817,559.50 – letter from Deputy Provincial Secretary from hearing before the Governor in Council in regard to the application of the Board of School Commissioners for the construction of four school buildings. The letter states that the Halifax Relief Commission will advance the Board $154,870 which is the amount determined to cover the Explosion damages. 102-1B.28.376

December 4, 1919

  • p. 605-606 – Explosion City Building Repairs – reports from the Committee on Works and the City Engineer recommending settlement in full of account D.G. Stewart for Explosion repairs to City property. 102-1B.28.415
  • p. 608-611 – Explosion – Loan $565,000.00 from Relief Commission – report from Finance Committee recommending the issuing of new certificates for $565,000.00 to replace certificates due January 1st, 1920 for loans made to the City for claims and other purposes by the Relief Commission. 102-1B.28.416

June 13, 1921

  • p. 125 – Petition from residents of the Halifax Relief Commission’s Relief House on the Exhibition Grounds, discussing the terrible conditions they are living in and appealing to Council for help. The Commission had boarded up windows in the houses and asked residents to vacate the houses which would render them homeless. 102-1B.31.287

November 25, 1926 

  • p. 421 – Halifax Relief Commission Claim and City’s Counter Claim – referred to Finance Committee to settle accounts with the Commission.

December 2, 1926

  • p. 437 – Halifax Relief Commission Claim and City’s Counter Claim – conferences being held and the adjustment would be submitted to Council before the final settlement.

January 13, 1927 

  • p. 537-551 – Halifax Relief Commission Claim – Finance Committee report on the claim and counter claims and the final settlement amounts. 102-1B.43.20

February 24, 1927

  • p. 658-660 – Halifax Relief Commission Claim – Mayor addressed the Council on the subject of financing the claim of the Halifax Relief Commission against the City.

March 31, 1927

  • p. 776-778 – Explosion – Halifax Relief Commission Claim – Loan for Settlement – report from the Finance Committee. 102-1B.43.136

September 17, 1931

  • p. 245 – Halifax Relief Commission Assessment – report from Finance Committee re: agreement with the Relief Commission relating to the assessment of Commission property by the City Assessor – property valued at $500,000 is set to expire January 2, 1932. Recommended a committee be formed to discuss the report with the Commission. 102-1B.50.19

November 12, 1931

  • p. 324-326 – Halifax Relief Commission Assessment of Property – correspondence between the Commission and the Finance Committee re: assessment of Commission property. 102-1B.50.548

November 9, 1943

  • p. 326 – Assessment Halifax Relief Commission – letter from the Halifax Relief Commission regarding voluntary assessment on their properties received by the Finance and Executive Committee. 102-1B.71.482

November 16, 1944

  • p. 456 – Halifax Relief Commission – Council discusses the assessment on the properties of the Commission, to be fixed at $530,000.

January 15, 1948

  • p. 40-43 – Town Planning Regulations Halifax Relief Commission – letter from the Commission regarding repealing sections of the Halifax Relief Commission act in order to give up town planning authority to the Council. Also report from Alderman J.G. DeWolf discussing the Halifax Relief Commission claim of 1926. 102-1B.76.44

March 16, 1948

  • p. 209 – Halifax Relief Commission Act – repeals various sections of the Act to Incorporate the Halifax Relief Commission.

August 12, 1948

  • p. 547-549 – Halifax Relief Commission Houses – Council forms a Committee to interview the Relief Commission re: intent to sell the Relief Commission houses in the Hydrostone.

November 16, 1948

  • p. 771-772 – Assessment Halifax Relief Commission – City Assessor values Relief Commission property at $751,300; Commission agrees to pay the City taxes on that amount. 102-1B.77.630

April 14, 1949

  • p. 214-215 – Town Planning Powers Halifax Commission – letter from the Commission re: town planning powers transferred from the Commission to the City of Halifax. 102-1B.78.200

August 11, 1949

  • p. 215 – Fort Needham Project – Mayor states the Government will pay for this project

June 25, 1959

  • p. 489-490 – Purchase of Boulevard Houses – Hydrostone District – Committee on Works agree the Mayor should contact the Relief Commission to ask to withdraw the Boulevard Houses for sale so the City can purchase them. 102-1B-1959-06-25

**Submissions for minutes 1959-1994 available at Municipal Archives**

July 30, 1959

  • p. 554-556 – Purchase – Hydrostone Houses – Council agrees to purchase a number of houses from the Relief Commission, for street improvements at a later date. The City would rent out the houses to new tenants and current tenants would be moved to other Commission owned properties.
  • p. 561 – Hydrostone Houses – Relief Commission – Commission owns 29 buildings/44 units.

March 30, 1961

  • p. 228-229 – Surplus Funds – Halifax Relief Commission – Committee to be formed of Mayor, Alderman DeWolf, and Acting City Manager to meet with the Commission re: transferring surplus funds to the City.

January 2, 1964

  • p. 15 – Letter – Halifax Relief Commission Re: Grant for North End Library - $100,000 grant from the Commission to be put towards the cost of a new library in the North End.

October 26, 1967

  • p. 914-915 – Celebration of Anniversary of Halifax Explosion – City and Province would be joint sponsors for the 50th anniversary of the Explosion, committee to be appointed soon after the “outstanding figure” they had invited responded. Alderman Sullivan to be on the committee.

December 14, 1967

  • p. 1020 – Memorial Service – 50th Anniversary of Halifax Explosion – Alderman Sullivan offers thanks to members of City department who contributed to the service.

March 19, 1968

  • p. 262C – Appointment – Committee – Halifax Explosion – committee appointed to prepare an annual program to commemorate the Halifax Explosion, committee members – Aldermen Sullivan, Doyle, and Connolly.

December 13, 1979

  • p. 696 – Halifax Relief Explosion Fund – discussion about increasing the pensions for the remaining 52 pensioners who were affected by the Explosion.

November 13, 1980

  • p. 500-501 – Pensions for Victims of Halifax Explosion – Council discusses pensions for victims and beautification of the Hydrostone area where many of the victims reside.

December 1, 1983

  • p. 554 – Halifax Explosion Memorial Bells – Mrs. Janet Kitz of the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bells Committee discusses the donation of a carillon tower of nine historic bells to the United Memorial Church by Mrs. T.W. Thompson.
  • p. 555 – Committee discusses the plans for the proposed memorial at Fort Needham, a trust fund to cover the costs, and requests Council’s permission for the use of the proposed site.
  • Council refers matter to City staff for review and establishes a committee to conduct a report on the feasibility of the proposed memorial.

January 12, 1984

  • Halifax Explosion Memorial Bells Committee – Alderman O’Malley presents Council’s Committee of the Memorial Bells’ report – site on Fort Needham to be licensed to the Memorial Bells Committee for permanent memorial and Council will make special $10,000 donation to the Committee for the construction of the memorial.

December 13, 1990

  • p. 784 – Halifax Explosion – Disbursement of Relief Funds – Council discusses the funds remaining for the pensions of those affected by the Explosion.

November 28, 1991

  • p. 852-853 – 1917 Explosion Commemoration Committee (Alderman O’Malley) – the 1917 Explosion Commemoration Committee Halifax/Dartmouth struck to plan events for the 75th anniversary of the Explosion in 1992.

April 15, 1993

  • p. 267-268 – Question Alderman Jeffrey re: Explosion Medallion – discussion about medallions and coins received by survivors of the Explosion for the 75th anniversary.

December 15, 1994

  • p. 734 – Halifax Explosion Memorial – Needham Park – discussion by Committee regarding funding for the memorial.