$240,000 WELLAND’S PROGRESS

EXPENDITURE DURING THE PAST YEAR

[Welland Tribune, 31 October 1884]

              The number of new buildings erected or completed within the town the past twelve months has not been large, but comprise several of a substantial order. Some very fine residences have been constructed, and the improvements to residence property generally are very marked, exceeding that of any previous year in Welland’s history. We have not estimated repainting (except when in connection with other work), and there are dozens of residences which have been decorated at large expense, and yet the aggregate for building foots up to about $40,000.

             Besides this, the public works in course of construction have caused the expenditure of large sums of money in town. During the season the masonry on the southern section of the aqueduct has been completed except the carrying up of a portion of the sidewalks over the arches, which cannot be done until all the arches are in; the old dam is being removed, and the dam at the north end for the whole of the remaining work is being put in position.

             All of our contractors have carried on work outside the corporation, Mr. Nichols’ contracts alone in other places amounting to about $8,000 the past year.

             The brickwork on Mr. Hendershot’s residence was done by Mr. Lewis Neal, and that on other brick structures principally by Mr. M. Vanderburgh, Welland’s veteran mason.

             Mr. Schumacher takes honors in painting and graining. Mr. McCarter has also done some very fine work in this line.

             In plastering, the Messrs. Bowman and Mr. H. Hurst have had the lion’s share of the work.

             The saw and planing mills have had a fairly busy season, large quantities of dressed lumber, frames, etc., being sent into the country.

            Three new scows have been built here during the season, and the new tug, Inez, was launched here last spring-involving an outlay of about $11,000. It is also expected there will, at least, be two tug hulls built here the coming winter.

            The dull times, and all things considered, the town’s progress has been such as its citizens may point to with pride and satisfaction. We should have been pleased to chronicle the erection of some large factories with tall smokestacks, but this pleasure is denied us as yet.

By Contractor Nichol

             A.E. White-barn and other improvements, $100.

             J.P. Evans-Alterations and improvements to hotel, $120.

             Mrs. M. Sullivan-Improvements to residence, $100.

             F.M. Tuckett-Improvements on Windsor House, $125.

             W.G. Somerville, Merritt St.-Verandahs, barn etc., costing about $250.

             Queen’s Hotel-Balcony, new floors, &c., $200.

             Richard Hanna-Brick store, East Main St., two storeys. Cost $2400.

             D. McConachie-Improvements to premises, $50.

             Patrick Powers-Roofing, etc., $100.

             W.D. Jeffrey’s fine residence on Merritt and Shotwell Streets has been enhanced by the addition of tasty verandahs, $100.

             Mr. E.Z. White’s residence, East Main St.-Window blinds, interior improvements, about $150.

             Thomas Cumines’ residence on Burgar St.-Hardwood ceilings and other improvements, about $75.

             Nichol’s planing mill and sash factory-Addition etc., $100.

             Two-storey frame building on Muir Street, suitable for offices, etc., built for Mr. Mellanby, Cost $1200.

             Elegant two-storey frame residence for Mr. Jas. E. Baxter, East Main St., containing eleven rooms and cellar, about $2500.

             Large and imposing residence for James McGlashan, manager Imperial Bank, on River Road. Two-storey frame, containing twelve rooms and cellar; finished in natural wood. Cost about $3500.

             Holy Trinity Church-New south wall: narrowing the south end and making handsome arched chancel; painting, graining, etc. New stained glass window presented by Rev. Mr. Gardiner, and costing about $70; total improvements costing $600. The painting of the interior is being done under Mr. Schumacher’s supervision.

             Sheriff Duncan’s residence, East Main St.-Interior improvements, hot air apparatus, &c. Noblest barn and carriage house in town. Cost-including fence etc., to be constructed about $1200.

             Fine two-storey brick building on Muir St., for the use of the Imperial Bank and owned by Mellanby. Completed in December last. Size 25×15. Costing about $1000. The interior designs are of the Eastlake order, and very handsome.

             Two-storey bay window, verandah, etc., on E.R. Hellem’s residence, Muir Street including some very fine interior work. Cost $600.

             W.N. Garden’s residence, Division Street-Raising roof, adding new verandah, etc. Cost $300.

By Contractors Ellsworth & Johnson

             East store in Symmes’ block-New front and interior improvements; rear addition, etc. Fitted up for Pursel Bros. Cost about $350.

             C.J. Page-Addition and improvements to residence, making it one of the neatest places in town. Cost $150.

             J.E. Baxter-Addition to residence, $110.

             Court House-Raising roof, work on addition etc., (included in cost under head of court house) about $1200.

             Mrs. Willet’s residence-General improvements, $130.

             Work etc., on A. Hendershot’s residence, $250.

             Town of Welland-Rebuilding old Fire Hall, $100. In course of construction.

             R. Harcourt-Barn and carriage house, $350.

By Contractor E. Rounds

             Improvements to L.V. Garner’s neat premises on Merritt Street, consisting of lattice work, addition to barn, etc. With painting. Mr. Garner’s improvements the past year will be about $250.

             Frank Rounds, Seeley St.-Erection of a barn costing $200.

             Removal of house and building addition to barn of R. Cooper, North Main St., $200.

             Moving house on lot near Merritt St., building addition thereto, and general refitting-when completed will cost $700. (Property of Messrs.Rounds).

             Putting stone foundation under residence of John Phelps, Shotwell St. and building addition costing about $200.

             Erecting fence at old English Church Burying Ground, $60.

By Contractor Wm. Burgar

             Barn for D. Tufts, Division Street, in course of construction. Cost about $200.

             Residence for Andrew McQuinn, C & R Junction, 1 ½ storey frame, Cost about $700.

            Residence for Alex. McQuinn, Muir Street-one storey frame. Cost about $100.

            Large addition to Postmaster Burgar’s residence on Burgar Street. Frame two-storey 15×30; _architecture finished in red oak, cost about $1200.

             Bakery for James Morwood, Jane street. Cost about $200.

             New kitchen and other improvements to house on Dennistoun Street for Robt. McClelland . Cost about $200.

             P. McMurray-Extensive improvements to his stove and tin store. Plastering etc,, by Henry Hurst. Total cost about $550.

             Jacob Crow-Residence roofed, repainted etc., costing about $350.

By Dickenson & Suess

             Substantial frame residence for John Bender, Muir Street, cost about $1000.

Miscellaneous

             D. Kennedy-Fitting up new carriage shops, $200.

             Elias Holder-Brick residence on Hellems Avenue now in course of construction, about $1000. Ellsworth & Johnson have the contact work for carpenter work.

             Mr. Alex. Griffith has had one of Harris’ Hot-air Furnaces placed in his residence by Thos. Irwin & Son of Hamilton. This apparatus is fitted up with the most modern improvements and is one of the most complete hot-air systems in Canada. This, with other improvements, cost $250.

             T.W. Hooker-Brick barn. Cost about $700.

             Hobson Bros.-Improvements to Hobson Block, including stained glass window in Palace Drug Store, costing about $200.

             Mr. O.N. Garner-Residence on Randolph St., $250.

             Mr. James Spencer’s residence, East Main St.-New iron fence, painting etc., at a cost of about $125.

             Mr. F.M. Hagar, Merritt St., verandahs and other interior improvements about $200.

             Mr. Geo. Cronmiller Coffin storehouse, etc., costing about $100.

             Commodious brick residence for A. Hendershot, West Main, near Frazer. Two-storey flat tinned roof. Cost about $2000.

             Mr. Thos. Warner has improved his residence on Merritt Street by an addition, etc., costing about $250.

             M. Beatty & Sons-Core oven, $100.

             Jos. C. Page had had hot-water heating apparatus placed in his residence at a cost of about $300. By R.F. Carter, Niagara Falls.

             Orient Hall has been improved the past season to the extent of about $700. A new maple floor has been laid for roller skating; the stage rearranged and new scenery and drop curtain painted, etc., making this one of the coziest places of amusement in the province.

At the Court House and Gaol

             Steam heating apparatus has been constructed for the entire building by Contractor Carter-Costing $2775.

             Main roof rebuilt, cost $2500 including painting, etc., and gaol wing roofs made new at a cost of $300. By Contractor Vanderburgh.

             Minor improvements, say $225-making total expended on permanent improvements on county buildings, $6500.

TOTAL EXPENDITURES

Total, as given above	$39,125
Approximate Expenditures on new aqueduct during the year	180,000
Tugs and scows, say	11,000
Corporation Expenditure on streets, &c., say	3,500

              With minor improvements making a grand total of fully $240,000 for the year.