Chap. 331.—An ACT to confirm the purchase by the town of Char-
luttesville of the property, corporate franchises and privileges of the
Charlottesville and University Gas-Light Company; to authorize the
corporate authorities of said town to negotiate a loan to carry into
effect suid purchase; to validate the bonds which have been or may
be issued for that purpose; und to vest in the town all the rights,
privileges and franchises which by act of ussembly passed March
eighteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-six, were conferred upon the
Charlottesville and University Gas-Light Company.

Approved April 4, 1877.

Whereas the town of Charlottesville has entered into a
contract with the owners of the gas-works at or near that
town, who claimed to be a corporation by the name and style
of the Charlottesville and University Gas Light Company,
for the purchase of said gas-works and property, together
with the privileges and franchises of said company, and have
entered upon the possession and use of the same under said
contract, the same having been ratified and confirmed, and
the negotiation of a loan for the purpose of carrying said
contract into effect, having been approved, authorized and
sanctioned by the counciland qualified voters of said town in
the manner prescribed by the twenty-third section of the
charter of said town, as the same has been amended by an act
approved on February twenty-third, eighteen hundred and
seventy-five; and whereas doubts have been suggested as to
the right of the corporate authorities of .said town to make
said purchase, and to issue bonds for the purpose of com-
plying with the terms of said contract; now, therefore, for
the purpose of removing such doubts:

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
said contract of purchase be ratified and confirmed, and the
corporate authorities of said town aro hereby authorized and
empowered to carry the same into effect, and to negotiate the
loan which has been authorized as aforesaid by the council
and qualified voters of said town; and it is further en-
acted, that all bonds which have been or may be issued for
that purpose, shall be valid and binding obligations upon said
town, and that said town, by complying with ita contract of
purchase aforesaid, shall be entitled to, and shall have and
enjoy, all the rights, privileges, and franchises, which, by the
act of assembly passed March cighteenth, eighteen hundred
and fifty-six, entitled an act to incorporate a gas company at
Charlottesville, were conferred upon the Charlottesville and
University gas-light company.

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