Chap. 444.—An ACT to empower the Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News
railway company, when formed by the consolidation of the Port Norfolk
electric railway company, the Portsmouth and Smithfield railroad company,
and the Portsmouth, Pig’s Point and Newport News railway, ferry and
fotel company, to acquire leasehold or other estate in the Norfolk county
erries.

Approved February 20, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That when the
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News railway company, hereinafter
called the consolidated company, shall have been formed by the con-
solidation of the Port Norfolk electric railway company, the Portsmouth
and Smithfield railroad company, and the Portsmouth, Pig’s Point and
Newport News railway, ferry, and hotel company, it shall, in addition
to its other powers which it may acquire by said consolidation and the
act of assembly authorizing the same, have power to purchase from the
present lessees of the Norfolk county ferries their leasehold estate or
term in the said ferries and ferry property upon such terms and con-
ditions as may be agreed upon between them and said consolidated com-

any.
2. And the said consolidated company shall also have power from time
to time after the expiration of the present leasehold estate or term afore-
said, to become the lessee of said ferries, or to purchase the leasehold
estate or term of any lessee or lessees thereof.

3. And the said consolidated company shall also have power at any
time hereafter to purchase the said ferries and ferry property from the
city of Portsmouth and Norfolk county, in case the said city and county
shall hereafter be authorized to sell the same and shall determine to
do so.

4. If the said consolidated company shall become the lessee or pur-
chaser of said ferries and ferry property, or of the leasehold estate of the
present or any subsequent lessee or lessees, it shall maintain and operate
the said ferries and ferry property as public general ferries as the same
are now maintained and operated, and may charge and collect tolls for
the transportation thereon of passengers and things, as provided in the
lease or purchase agreement.

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