Chap. 58.—An ACT to incorporate the Elizabeth night-ferry company.

Approved January 15, 1896.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That Wil-
son Reed, Charles T. Bland, R. E. B. Stewart, J. F. Newberne, M. D.
Eastwood, and J. A. Wallace, and their associates, successors, and
assigns be, and are hereby, incorporated into a body politic and
corporate by the name of the Elizabeth night-ferry company, for
the purpose and with the power of owning, equipping, leasing, char-
tering, and running one or more yachts, or boats propelled by nap-
tha, gasoline, electricity, or steam, for the transportation of passen-
gers and freight on the Elizabeth river to and from Norfolk, Ports-
mouth, and Berkeley at night, when the Norfolk county ferries are
not plying between said places; and from Pinner’s Point and Bear
Trap, in Norfolk county, to Norfolk or Lambert’s Point, or to both,
either in the day or night, or to and from any other points on either
side of the Elizabeth river which do not conflict or interfere with
the business or operations of the Norfolk county ferries; pro-
vided that no ferry be established, maintained or operated across the
western branch of the Elizabeth river from west Norfolk to port
Norfolk, or within one-half mile of the bridge of the west Norfolk
and port Norfolk drawbridge company.

2. The capital stock of said company shall not be less than five
hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, divided into
shares of fifty dollars each. The above-named corporators, or any
four of them, are hereby created a commission and authorized to re-
ceive subscriptions to the stock of said company in such manner as
they may deem fit, and as soon as the minimum capital has been
subscribed may call a meeting of the stockholders, who may organ-
izethe company. The capital stock may be increased from time to
time until the maximum sum named in this act is reached.

3. The said company may acquire, by purchase or otherwise, and
hold real estate not to exceed one acre at each landing-place, and
may mortgage and encumber, by deed of trust or otherwise, and dis-
pose of its real estate, wharves, docks, boats, and any other property,
privileges, and franchises as they may deem to be necessary for the
proper conduct of their business, and may issue bonds, to be secured
on its property and franchises.

4. The said company may construct, own, equip, operate, and run
a ferry from any of the above-mentioned points to any of the others
at the time above specified, and may rent or lease boats and other
equipments and terminals necessary for the operation of a ferry or
ferries between said points, and may charge and collect tolls for the
transportation of passengers and freights.

5. The said company may make rules and regulations for the man-
agement, control, and conduct of its business and property not in-
consistent with the laws of the state or of the United States.

6. The provisions of this charter shall be complied with within
two years from the passage of this act, otherwise the same shall be
void.

7. All taxes due or to become due to the commonwealth of Virgi-
nia from the said company shall be paid in lawful money of the
United States, and not in coupons.

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