Chap. 56.—An ACT to declare the powers and jurisdiction of the county and cor-
poration courts in the exercise of the jurisdiction created by an act entitled “an
act to amend and re-enact section 666 of the Code of Virginia as heretofore
amended in relation to sale of delinquent lands purchased in the name of the
auditor,” which act was approved March 6, 1900, and to prescribe when the
same shall be in force.

Approved February 4, 1903.

Whereas, under the provisions of an act entitled “an act to amend and
te-enact section six hundred and sixty-six of the Code of Virginia
as heretofore amended in relation to sale of delinquent lands purchased
in the name of the auditor,” which act was approved March sixth, nine-
teen hundred, a number of applications to purchase real estate so pur-

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chased by the auditor have been filed in various counties and cities in
the State; and,

Whereas, under the provisions of said act, sundry notices of motions
to dismiss said applications and to otherwise contest the right of the
applicants to purchase the said real estate have been given, and said
motions are pending in the county and corporation courts of said counties
and cities; and,

Whereas, there appears to be doubt and uncertainty as to the extent
of the powers and jurisdiction conferred by said act upon the said county
and corporation courts in relation thereto; and,

Whereas, it is important to at once declare and define the powers and
jurisdiction of said courts as conferred by said act; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That in the
exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon them by the act approved
March sixth, nineteen hundred, entitled “an act to amend and re-enact
section six hundred and sixty-six of the Code of Virginia as here-
tofore amended in relation to sale of delinquent lands purchased in the
name of the auditor,” the county and corporation courts of this State
have, and shall have, jurisdiction to try all questions arising upon any
notice or motion provided for in said act according to the principles of
law and equity, and may sustain or dismiss any application as to all or
any part of the real estate mentioned therein, or as to any party thereto,
and may determine what portion of said real estate the applicant is
entitled to purchase under said act and direct accordingly, and may enter
such other order in relation to said notice, motion, or application as may
be just and proper according to the rights of the parties.

2. This act shall apply to all motions, notices, and applications made
in pursuance of the aforesaid act of March sixth, nineteen hundred,
whether the same be now pending or hereafter made.

3. Any person interested in said land and entitled to redeem the same
shall have the right to do so at any time before the final order of
the court.

4. By reason of the facts set forth in the preamble to this act, there is
an emergency for its immediate operation, and the same shall be in force
from its passage.