Chap. 142.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 7 of an act approved No-
vember 22, 1884, entitled an act to incorporate the town of Stuart, in the
county of Patrick, as amended and re-enacted by an act entitled an act to amend
and re-enact section 7 of the charter for the town of Stuart, in Patrick county,
approved March 5, 1900.

Approved March 10, 1902.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
seven of an act approved November twenty-second, eighteen hundred and
eighty-four, entitled “an act to incorporate the town of Stuart, in the
county of Patrick,” as amended by an act entitled “an act to amend and
re-enact section seven of the charter for the town of Stuart, in Patrick
county,” approved March fifth, nineteen hundred, be amended and re-
enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 7. The said council shall have power to impose a tax not exceeding
twenty cents on the hundred dollars for all purposes; and they shall also
have power to impose a license tax of such amount, and on such subjects,
as they may see proper: provided, however, that a further tax not ex-
ceeding fifty cents on the hundred dollars may be imposed when au-
thorized by a two-thirds vote of all the legally qualified voters of said
town, and whenever, by a like vote of said voters, it shall be determined
to bring water to said town, and to construct water works for said town
in or near the town, under such terms and conditions as the council may
order, then said council may issue bonds of the town for such sum as
may be deemed necessary, not to exceed seven thousand dollars, payable,
and bearing interest not to exceed six per centum, as the council may
direct, which bonds shall not be sold for less than face value, and with
the proceeds erect suitable water works in or near the town, and to levy
such sum annually, to be known as water tax, as may be sufficient to
meet the interest on said bonds as it falls due, and to provide a sinking
fund for the retirement of the bonds when they fall due; and in fixing
this tax the water rents shall be taken into consideration and deducted
from the required amounts. But if the voters shall fail to vote the power
to issue bonds for the construction of said water works, or the council
shall fail to issue such bonds for two years after such vote is taken, then
the said council shall have power to grant the franchise to individuals or
a corporation, as it may deem best, on such terms as may be reasonable
and just to the citizens of the town; and, from time to time, make such
agreement as to payment for use of water for fire and other public use as
the circumstances may demand. The said council or the person to whom
they may grant franchise shall have the right and power to purchase any
lands outside or within the corporate limits of said town for the purpose
of bringing water to and establishing said water works in or near said
town. And if private agreement cannot be reached with the owners for
such lands and privileges as council may deem necessary, then, upon ap-
plication to the county court of said county, the said court shall appoint
commissioners to ascertain the value of said land or the damages for the
privileges over or right of way through said land desired to be taken for
said purpose, and proceed as in like cases now provided by law. The
vote herein provided for shall be ordered by the council whenever it shall
be deemed necessary; thirty days’ public notice shall be given by the ser-
geant by printed notices posted. The result shall ‘be certified in writing
to the council ; election to be held by those who conduct usual town elec-
tions in said town, and at the same place at such time as council may
order.

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