Chap. 171.—An ACT to confirm and make valid the purchase, by the
city of Portsmouth, of a certain tract of land, for a ‘‘pest-house,’’
and to authorize the council of said city to sell certain real estate,
held by said city, and for other purposes.

Approved March 20, 1877.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the purchase by the city of Portsmouth of a certain tract of
land in the county of Norfolk, from James G. Holladay,
special commissioner, procured by said city for a pest-house,
be declared legal, and that the title to the same be as firm
and stable as if the said city had, by law, at the time of said
purchase, been fully authorized to acquire title in and hold
the same.

2, Be it further enacted, That the council of said city be,
and they are hereby authorized to make sale and conveyance
of certain real estate in Norfolk county, situated on the
southern branch of the Elizabeth river, formerly used by
said city for pest-house purposes, and also to make sale and
conveyance of so much of the tract mentioned in the preced-
ing section as may not be needed for pest-house purposes.

3. Be it further enacted, That the council of said city are
hereby authorized and empowered to sell and convey so much
of the real estate now owned by said city, within its corpo-
rate limits, as may not be needed for public uses, and that
the proceeds arising from such sales of real estate mentioned
in this section, be applied towards the liquidation of the
bonded debt of said city.

4. Be it further enacted, That no sales of real estate made
by the council of said city, pursuant to the authority herein
given, shall be made except by public auction, due notice of
time, place and terms of which shall be given by publication,
for at least once a weck, for four successive weeks in some
newspaper published in said city, or when there is-none such
published in said city, in some newspaper published nearest
said city, and by hand-bill, published and posted at the front
door of the court-bouse; and all sales made of such real
estate owned by said city, shall be subject to the approval
and ratification of the hustings or corporation court: and
provided, that it shall not be lawful for the judge of the said
cqurt, or for any of the members, of the council of said city,
to be personally and pecuniarily interested, either directly
or indirectly, in the sale or purchase of any of said property.

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