Chap. 183.—An ACT to convert the Deep ran hunt elub, of Richmond, Virginia,
froma joint stock company into a social corporation without stock, to extin-
euish the existing stock of said: corporation, to declare those now entitled to
inembership to be members of said corporation, to continue and to validate the
guid corporation, its acts and contracts, and to enlarge its powers.

Approved February 1, 1898.

Whereas the Deep run hunt club, of Richmond, Virginia, was char-
tered under the laws of this connonwealth as a joint stock company by
the cireuit court of the city of Michmond on the twenty-fourth day of
February, eighteen hundred and ninety-four; and

Whereas the stockholders of said corporation have agreed to surrender
their stock, which has been fully paid, to the end that the said corpora-
tion may be converted into a social corporation: and

Whereas persons other than stockholders have been admitted to mem-
bership and the privileges of said corporation: now, theretore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the said
corporation be, and the same is hereby, converted from a joint stock
company into a social corporation, and that the existing shares of stock
of said corporation be, and the same are hereby, extinguished; and
that the existing active members of said corporation, whether they he
stockholders or not, and their successors and such other persons as may
be hereafter associated with them be, and they are hereby, declared to
be a body politic and corporate under the name of the Deep run hunt
club, of Richmond, Virginia, and as such shall have and enjoy the
rights and priviledes, and be subject to the restrictions applicable to
such corporations, including the power to adopt a constitution and by-
laws, and rules regulating dues, the admission and expulsion of mem-
bers, the government of the club, the election of its officers and their
luties, the manner of holding meetings, and the notice thereof, and
such other matters as may be necessary or proper for carrying on the
iffairs of the corporation; and to change or repeal from time to time
such constitution, by-laws, and rules as they may see fit: provided, that
10 constitution, by-law, or rules adopted by said corporation shall be
neonsistent with the laws of the United States or the state of Virginia;
ind the said joint stock company and the corporation hereby created
shall be deemed to be one and the same corporation without any inter-
ruption in its corporate existence.

Z. The present officers, constitution, and by-laws of said corporation
shall continue until other officers are elected or said constitution and
by-laws are changed by the club. And all lawful acts and contracts
heretofore done or made by or with the said corporation are hereby de-
slared to be valid in law as though this act had not been passed; all
property and rights now belonging to the Deep run hunt club, of Rich-
mond, Virginia, shall be vested in the corporation hereby created.

3. The said corporation is formed and shall have power to promote
and encourage social recreation, physical improvement, and lawful
sports and games, and especially drag-hunting and the hunting of foxes
and other game; to encourage horsemanship and the improvement of
horses, and to this end may hold contests at stated periods and may
offer or have offered by others prizes or purses for speed or other ex-
cellence in horses, and at such contests may charge entrance or ad-
mission fees to those wishing to attend them.

4. The active members of said corporation shall each be entitled to
one vote and may cast their votes at meetings of the corporation either
in person or by proxy. The corporation may from time to time prescribe
the number of members necessary to be present at any meeting to con-
stitute a quorum. It may have honorary members and contributing
members, and may define their privileges and may withhold from such
members the right of voting.

5. The said corporation may take by gift, grant, becuest, or devise,
accept, purchase, lease, hold, or dispose of any real or personal estate:
provided, that the said real estate held by it in any one county of this state
shall not exceed one thousand acres, and said corporation may borrow
money and may issue bonds therefor and may secure the same by deed
of trust, mortgage, or otherwise on the whole or any portion of its
property.

6. The principal office of the said corporation shall be in the city of
Richmond.

7. The said corporation agrees to pay all taxes and public dues in
lawful money of the United States and not in coupons.

8. This act shall be in force from its passage, and be subject. te
amendment, alteration, or modification at the pleasure of the genera
assembly.