Chap. 65.—An ACT to authorize the City of Norfolk to Construct Water

Works for the use of the people of the said city.

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Passed January 14, 1867.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That it shall be
lawful for the city of Norfolk to construct suitable works to
convey a supply of ‘water from some point in the Dismal
swamp in Nortolk county, or such other place as the said
city may select, into the said city; and the said city may ac-
quire and hold for that purpose a slip of land not exceeding
one hundred feet in width, and other lands at the termini and
stations of their works, in the city and county of Norfolk,
not exceeding one hundred acres; and shall have the same
rights and powers in respect to obtaining right of way, and
lands for their pipes, aqueducts and other suitable structures
and fixtures for securing and conveying water, as are con-
ferred upon railroad and other internal improvement com-
panies by the Code of Virginia; and may hold, use and em-
ploy such machinery, boats, apparatus and other appliances
as they may deem proper for supplying the said city with
water, and for the transaction of the atteridant business.

2, The councils of the said city may make such ordinances
and regulations for the government and management of the
said water works, and may establish and collect such rates
of charges for the use of the water as they may deem pro-
per; and may open streets, lanes, alleys and public squares
of the.said city, for the purpose of laying down water pipes
and other fixtures for the distribution ot water. ;

3. Any person who shall open a communication with the
main or other pipe of the said water works, without au-
thority from the said councils or the superintendent of the
said works, or shall wilfully let on the water after it has been
stopped by order of the said councils or superintendent, for
repairs or any other purpose; or shall put up any pipes in
addition to the pipes originally put up and inspected, or in-
troduce water into them without authority as aforesaid; or
shall wilfully do or cause to be done any act whereby the
said works or any portion thereof shall be obstructed, in-
jured or destroyed, such person shall forfeit for each offence
not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars, to be recovered
before the mayor of the said city or any justice of the peace,
one-half to the informer and the other half to.the said city;
and shall, moreover, forfeit and pay to the said city double
the amount of damages sustained by reason of such offence
or injury, to be recovered by action or motion in any court
of record. | 3 . =

4. In order to provide for payment for the said works, the
said city may issue bonds bearing inftrest not exceeding
eight per centum per annum; which bonds shall-be known
as the “ Norfolk city water ‘bonds "—the.proceeds of which
shall not be applied or used for other purposes—and all the
net revenues or income derived from the said works and for
the use of the water, shall be applied exclusively to the pay-
ment of the interest and principal of the said bonds; and the
councils of the said city are authorized to levy a special tax,
to be known as the “water tax,” on all real ‘and leasehold
property situated on such streets, lanes and squares in the
said city as the main or other pipes of the said water works
may pass along; the proceeds of which tax shall be also ap-
plied exclusively to the payment of the interest and principal
of the said bonds. a |

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