Chap. 277.—An ACT to incorporate the Portsmouth Water Company.
Passed March 1st, 1867.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That George
W. Grice, W. H. H. Hodges, George M. Bain, Jr., William
H. Peters, Washington Reed and Henry V. Niemeyer, and
Such other persons as they may associate with them and their
successors, are hereby created a body corporate and politic,
under the name and style of The Portsmouth Water Com-
pany; and by that name may sue and be sued, contract and
be contracted with, plead and be impleaded in all courts and
places; have a common seal, and change the same at pleasure;
may make all necessary by-laws and regulations for the go
vernment of said company not’ inconsistent with the consti-
tution and laws of the state of Virginia and the United
States. .

2. The capital stock of said company shall not exceed two
hundred thousand dollars, to be divided into shares of one
hundred dollars each.

3..The said company is hereby authorized to contract and
agree with the owners of any land in Norfolk county for the
use or purchase thereof, for the convenient location of cis-
terns, reservoirs, pipes, water works, or any fixtures or ap-
purtenances necessary therefor; and in case of a disagreement,
or if the owner thereof be a feme covert, under age, non com-
pos mentis, out of the state or unknown, the said company
is hereby invested with all the rights, powers and privileges
conferred, and subject to all the rules, regulations and restric-
tions snposed by the fifty-sixth chapter of the Code of Vir-
ginia, so far as the same may be applicable and not incon-
sistent with this act. | }

4, It shall be lawful for said company to sell and dispose
of the water which they may have conducted into the city of
Portsmouth, to the inhabitants thereof, and other persons or
corporations, in such manner and at such prices as to them
shall seem fit for the benefit of said company.

3. The said company is hereby authorized to open streets,
alleys, lanes and public squares of the city of Portsmouth for
the purpose of distributing water; but the said company
shall repair any injury done thereby at its own cost, in such
manner as may be prescribed by the council of said city.

6. The council of said city shall have power to pass ordi-
nances to prevent injury to the property and works of said
company within the limits of said city, and to punish any

erson who shall violate the same, by a fine. not exceeding
fifty dollars for each offence, and to arrange with said com-
pany for the erection of fire plugs in said city.

7. The said company may borrow money upon their bonds
or other evidences of debt, at a rate of interest not exceed-
ing ten per centum per annum; which bonds may be secured
by a pledge of the income and property of said company.

8. This act shall be in force from its passage.