Fugita v. Motoshige
Fugita v. Motoshige
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff commenced an action of replevin to recover a horse, wagon and harness seized by the defendant Crowell, as sheriff of the county of Maui, under an execution in favor of the defendant Motoshige, basing his action upon the ground that the articles levied upon are exempt from execution. Defense, the general issue. At the close of plaintiff’s case the defendants moved for judgment of nonsuit which was granted. Plaintiff appeals to this court upon the point of law that the court erred under the evidence in rendering judgment of non-suit. The seizure as alleged, demand for return, and value of the chattels seized, were admitted. On direct examination the plaintiff testified as follows: “My name is Fujita. I know W. Motoshige and Clement Crowell, defendants in this case. On the 23rd of March, A. D. 1914, Deputy Sheriff John Ferreira took from my possession 1 horse, 1 wagon and 1 set of harness, this property has not been returned, it was seized under execution. The horse was valued at $65.00, $18.00 for wagon and $7.00 for harness. I was the owner of this property at the time it was seized. I was making my living by the spinning wheel at the time of seizure of this property. (Ex. ‘A’) I was using the horse wagon and harness going from place to place with this device at the time of seizure. I was going to Paia, Makawao, Puunene, Waikapu &c. I did not have -any other means or horse and wagon, by which I could convey my things to the different places. This was the means I used to make my living at the time, and for about 4 years prior to the seizure, I lived in Wailuku about 14 years. I would make no profit if I had to hire a team to take this around. I had goods other than horse and wagon. I have the goods yet. I have the goods here now. I make from 30.00 to a hundred dollars a month. I once made $120.00. Witness opens a basket and displays his stock of goods which he carries from place to place working the game. Goods consists of a
The ground of exemption stated in the written demand made on the defendant sheriff, is: “I used the same in a line of business similar in its character to the specific occupations named in section 1831 of the Revised Laws of Hawaii, as amended by Act 39 of the Session Laws of Hawaii of 1911, and that such use was and is necessary in order to enable me to earn my living.” On cross-examination the plaintiff explained the working of his “spinning wheel” which was introduced in evidence, the same being what is ordinarily termed a “wheel of fortune,” having lines radiating from a common center, - and the numbers one to eight inclusive placed within an inner circle designating certain lines, the other numbers, nine to thirty-two, being placed at the outer rim of the wheel designating othér lines; two arms revolving on a standard, to-one of which a thread and needle are attached. The scheme, as explained by plaintiff, is worked as follows: The player, if he desires one “spin” pays ten cents, or if he desires three “spins,” pays twenty-five cents; the arm is then given a turn so as to make it spin aroimd and the number at which the needle stops indicates the corresponding prize drawn by the player. The plaintiff testified that each number drew a prize, but did not state the value of the various prizes. He introduced in-evidence a basket of goods used by him as prizes, but the evidence does not show the value of the several articles. Inspection of the goods indicates the greater number of the articles are of very little value while others are of greater value, among-• which is a razor upon the case of which the price is stamped as being $3.00.
The district court sustained the motion of nonsuit upon the ground that the evidence did not show that the plaintiff actually used the chattels in earning a lawful living. The motion was
The burden was on the plaintiff to show that he Avas within one of the included classes. He failed to do so. Conducting a game, or carrying on a scheme wherein mere chance is a control
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- FUGITA v. W. MOTOSHIGE AND CLEMENT CROWELL AS SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI, TERRITORY OF HAWAII
- Status
- Published