Chap. 287.—An ACT to Authorize the Board of Supervisors for the Coun-
ties of Elizabeth City and Warwick to Contract Annually for Keeping in
Repair the Pubhe Reads of said Counties.

In furce March 22, 1872.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That it shall be
lawful for the board of supervisors of the connty of Elizabeth
city, in leu of the system now authorized by law for repairing
and keeping public roads in order, to advertise, annually, that
they will, on a specified day, receive proposals for keeping the
roads in any particular road district, or the roads in each road
district in said county, in repair, in the manner to be specified
in their stipulations. Upon the receipt of such proposals, they
are hereby authorized to accept the bid which they deem best
for the interest of the people. The said board may thereupon
enter into contract with the party or parties whose proposal
may be accepted, to execute the work according to agreement,
requiring proper bond and security for the performance of the
stipulations. But in no contract, for any year, shall the county
be bound for more than the amount of the levy made by said
board for keeping the roads of said county in good and proper
repair for such year.

2. Before any such contract shall be binding, it shall be the
duty of the board to submit the same to the ‘county court for
its ratification or disapproval. If the court disapprove thereof
it shall be set aside; but the same may be altered or modified,
with the consent of the parties thereto, until ratified by said
court, and thereupon it shall have the force and effect of u legal
obligation; and suits may be instituted in said court upon said
bonds or against said supervisors, to compel complance with
said obligation.

3. The board of supervisors of the county of Warwick may,
in like inanuer, proceed, in all respects, to let to contract the
keeping in repair of the public roads of that county, and simi-
lar proceedings may be had as are hereby authorized for the
board of supervisors of the county of Elizabeth City.

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