Chap. 166.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 1488 of the Code as here-

tofore amended in relation to the condemnation and purchase of land

for schoolhouses. (H. B. 155.)
Approved March 21, 1914.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
section fourteen hundred and eighty-eight of the Code as hereto-
fore amended, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

Sec. 1488. Condemnation and purchase of land for school-
houses.—If, in the judgment of the district school board, the public
interests demand that a schoolhouse be located on a particular spot
and no equitable arrangements for its purchase prove to be practic-
able, the board of trustees shall be authorized, and it shall be its
duty, to cause the desired parcel of land to be surveyed by the
county or other competent surveyor, and a plat of the same to be
filed, together with a general statement of the case, with the clerk
of the circuit court; and thereupon, on application of the district
school board, the same proceedings shall be had as are prescribed
by the laws relating to the exercise of the right of eminent domain:
provided, that no parcel of land thus condemned shall exceed one
acre in a town or five acres in the county; provided, further that
no dwelling, yard, garden, or orchard shall be invaded, nor in an
unincorporated town any space within one hundred feet of a
dwelling, nor in the country any space within two hundred yards
of a mansion house, without the consent of the owner.

Whenever it shall be necessary for any county or district school
board, or other public officers of the county having authority for
the purpose, to purchase real estate or acquire title thereto for
public uses, the contract therefor shall be in writing, and the evi-
dence of title be submitted to the circuit court, or to the judge
thereof in vacation, for approval, which approval shall be entered
of record by the clerk of the court. No such contract shall be valid
unless and until the title to such real estate be thus approved; and
if the court or judge refuse to approve the same, the disapproval
shall be recorded in like manner.