Chap. 890.—An ACT to incorporate the Chesapeake transit company.

Approved March 8, 1898.

1. Be it enacted hy the general assembly of Virginia, That J. W. Ash-
ton, S. Q. Collins, Marvin Hardy, J. E. Cole, R. W. Shultice and such
other persons as may become associated with them in the manner here-
inafter provided, shall be, and they are hereby, constituted a body cor-
porate by the name of Chesapeake transit company, and by that name
shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, which they may
alter and amend at their pleasure, and may acquire by lease, purchase
or condemnation all land necessary for the purposes of its incorporation,
and may locate, construct, equip, maintain and operate a railroad of
such gauge as they may elect, with all necessary tracks, turnouts,
branches and sidings, from some point on or near Chesapeake bay, in the
county of Norfolk, Virginia, to some point on or near the Atlantic coast,
in the county of Princess Anne, Virginia, and to extend the same from
any point of its line to the city of Norfolk, Virginia: provided, that said
company shall not have the right of condemnation except for such land
as is necessary for its tracks or terminals; and it shall be lawful for eaid
company to consolidate with any other steam railroad company hereto-
fore incorporated or hereafter to be incorporated in the state of Virginia,
and to lease any other railroad or railroads or right of way over the
same.

2. The company shall have the right to purchase, lease, build, con-
struct, equip, furnish and operate one or more steamboats and other
boats, vessels and craft, for the carriage of persons and all kinds of pro-
perty and merchandise; and to establish, build, construct and maintain
at one or more points along its line wharves, docks, warehouses and ele-
vators; and to do all things necessary to make safe and convenient land-
ings for all kinds of shipping; and to erect excursion pavilions and other
buildings necessary for convenience and entertainment of its patrons and
the public generally.

3. Any three of the above-named incorporators are hereby authorized
to open, in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, books of subscription to the
capital stock of said company, which shall be divided into shares of the
par value of one hundred dollars each; and it shall be lawful for the said
company to acquire in payment of such subscriptions to its capital stock,
or by donation or otherwise lands, property and materials, and to receive
subscriptions from other companies or corporations, to be paid in stock
or otherwise, and to make such arrangements as may be agreed upon by
che boards of directors of the respective companies or corporations for
such sale, exchange or consolidation of stock and Jands as will facilitate
the construction and operation of said road; and the said company may
sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any lands or other property acquired
under this act.

4. The capital stock of said company shall not be less than ten thou-
sand dollars nor more than one hundred thousand dollars.

5. The said company, by the acceptance of this charter, hereby agrees
fo pay all taxes, dues and demands due the state that may hereafter be
assessed against it in lawful money of the United States, and not In
coupons.

6. But nothing in this act shall be construed as authorizing the com-
pany herein incorporated, their successors or assigns, to construct, pur-
chase, lease or maintain a ferry between the cities “of Norfolk and Ports-
mouth and the town of Berkley, or between either of said points; nor to
construct, purchase, lease or maintain a belt line railroad about the cities
and town aforesaid; and they shall obtain the consent of the councils of
the city of Norfolk before they enter the said city of Norfolk, and upon
such terms and conditions as the said councils may prescribe.

7. The road shall be commenced within two years and be completed
within five years from the passage of this act.

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