Roberts v. Reisig
Roberts v. Reisig
Opinion of the Court
This is an action of contract to recover for certain plumbing and heating work performed, and for materials furnished the defendant on her order, upon certain premises in West Newton.
The plaintiff at the trial testified in his direct examination that as the result of a telephone call from the defendant’s husband in February, 1931, he went to the premises — at that time a new, unoccupied house — accompanied by one Blanchard who was in his employ; that when they arrived they met the defendant and her husband; that the witness was requested to make an examination of the plumbing and heating plant installed in the house; that subsequently he did so and later reported to the defendant’s husband that the plumbing and heating systems were inadequate, and recommended changes and new installations. The items are set forth in the plaintiff’s account annexed to the declaration. The plaintiff testified that, at the time he made his report of the proposed changes to the defendant’s husband, in the presence of the defendant and Blam chard, the defendant’s husband said, “That’s right, is it, these changes have got to be made”; that the plaintiff replied, “Yes, I recommend them”; and “that Mrs. Reisig stated, ‘Well, if this work has to be done, you might as well go ahead and do it.’” Blanchard testified that he overheard this and other parts of the conversation. The plaintiff further testified that as a result of these instructions from the defendant he proceeded with the work, and finished it, and from time to time mailed bills to the defendant, postage prepaid, with his return address thereon; that they were not returned to him; that the defendant did not dispute the bills until June 10, 1932, when through her counsel she “protested that she was not responsible for the bills; that she protested on the 13th of July, 1932, and was subsequently sued by the plaintiff.” A steam
At the close of the evidence the defendant presented fourteen requests for rulings. Certain of them were given and the others refused. The requests which were refused need not be considered separately. No error of law appears by reason of the manner in which they were dealt with by the judge.
The judge found the following facts: “The plaintiff performed the labor and furnished the materials as set forth in the declaration, on premises of the defendant under a contract made in the defendant’s name with the defendant’s husband. The defendant was present on the premises and gave directions to the plaintiff regarding the performance of the contract from time to time, while the contract was being performed. The defendant received bills from the plaintiff for the work done which were ignored, but not repudiated, by the defendant. I find that the defendant had full knowledge of the transaction and that the plaintiff had authority from the defendant to perform the contract on the defendant’s behalf. ... I find
It is not disputed by the defendant that the labor was performed, and that the materials were furnished by the plaintiff, for the plumbing and heating system of the defendant’s house. If, as the plaintiff testified, he made an examination of the plumbing and heating system at the request of the defendant’s husband, and thereafter he made a report of the proposed necessary changes to the defendant’s husband, the defendant being present, and she stated to the plaintiff, “Well, if this work has to be done, you might as well go ahead and do it,” and as a result of the instructions he proceeded with the work, the defendant could be found to be liable to the plaintiff for his charges for labor and materials, the amount of which does not seem to be disputed.
No error appears in the rulings made or refused. The finding of the judge that the defendant “had full knowledge of the transaction and that the plaintiff had authority from the defendant to perform the contract on the defendant’s behalf” was warranted by the evidence.
The entry will be Order dismissing report affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Albert E. Roberts v. Maude Reisig
- Status
- Published