Beck v. Beck

This action was brought for the purpose of obtaining a decree declaring the plaintiff to be the owner of certain water-rights, and that he be declared to be entitled to the use and enjoyment of the same; and also for a permanent injunction, restraining the defendants from interfering with the plaintiff in his use and enjoyment thereof. A verdict was rendered in favor of the plaintiff. A motion for a new trial was heard and overruled. An appeal ivas taken from the order denying said motion, and also from the judgment. - There is no judgment in the record; and it does not appear from the record that any judgment has been entered from which an appeal could be taken; therefore, the only appeal which we are called upon to consider is that which is taken from the order denying the motion for a new trial.

The only point made by the appellant is that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the verdict, because it appears therefrom that defendant first appropriated the water; and, to sustain his position, he calls the attention of this court -to portions of the evidence introduced by him in the court below. The record, as a whole, however, does show a decided conflict of testimony upon all the material issues in the case. There being a conflict of testimony, this court cannot reverse the order denying the motion for a new trial. See Lincoln v. Rodgers, 1 Mont. 217; Toombs v. Hornbuckle, id. 286; Ming v. Truett, id. 322.

It is not necessary for this court to consider the effect of *287plaintiff’s failure to reply to an allegation in the answer which the appellant claims was new matter. The point was not raised in the court below, either on the trial or in the motion for a new trial, and it cannot be raised in this, court. The appellant treated the allegation as denied, and produced evidence to support it at the trial; and, further, in the instructions to the jury given at his request, appellant assumed the burden of proof as to that particular allegation. He cannot now claim that the allegation was admitted, and take advantage of his neglect at the trial of' the cause. Racouillat v. Rene, 32 Cal. 450; Gale v. Water Co. 14 Cal. 28.

The order denying the motion for a new trial is affirmed,, with costs.

Judgment affirmed.