Stern v. Benbow
Stern v. Benbow
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting: Concurring with tbe conclusion reached by tbe Court, tbat a partial new trial should be bad, I regret tbat I cannot agree with them in tbe conclusion reached
Opinion of the Court
Tbe jury found, in response to tbe issues submitted, .that tbe defendant contracted to sell and tbe plaintiff contracted to buy tbe lands referred to in tbe complaint and included in tbe survey set out in tbe complaint; that tbe defendant represented to tbe plaintiff and guaranteed bim that there were 100 acres in tbe tract, and tbe plaintiff, sd believing, was induced to contract to pay therefor $5,850; that, in fact, tbe tract contained only 78 3-100 acres; that tbe plaintiff would not have bought tbe lands if be bad known at tbe time that tbe area was less than 80 acres; that tbe defendant, falsely and fraudulently, in order to induce tbe plaintiff to buy tbe land, represented to bim that tbe tract contained 100 acres, and tbe plaintiff, relying upon such representation, did purchase said land; that tbe plaintiff, on account of tbe deficiency in tbe acreage, is entitled to an abatement in tbe price of $1,238.45, and is also entitled to recover $355 damages.
Upon this verdict tbe court entered judgment that tbe defendant bolds tbe lands described in tbe complaint, first, as a security for tbe balance of tbe purchase money, and next thereafter for tbe benefit of and to be conveyed, with tbe joinder of 'bis wife, to tbe plaintiff, on payment of tbe purchase money, to-wit, $4,611.55, on account of tbe purchase price of tbe land, less $100 paid 12 November, 1906, which sum tbe defendant is entitled to recover of tbe plaintiff, less tbe further sum of $355, damages assessed by tbe jury, with interest on tbe balance from 12 November, 1906, upon payment of which sum tbe said defendant will execute deed in fee (with the joinder of bis wife in tbe conveyance), with tbe usual covenants of warranty, seizin, etc., and give possession therewith to tbe plaintiff.
This action is brought for tbe purpose of reforming an agreement, entered into 12 November, 1906, between tbe defendant and wife and tbe plaintiff, giving tbe plaintiff an option for tbe purchase of tbe said lands, fo make it speak tbe truth, by inserting a guarantee alleged to have been given by tbe defendant and wife that the said tract contained 100 acres, and to procure specific "performance by tbe execution of a deed for tbe correct number of acres, upon payment of tbe agreed purchase price, reduced by a pro rata amount for tbe deficiency in tbe number of acres.
"When a contract is reduced to writing, parol evidence cannot be admitted, to vary, add to, or contradict the same. But when a part of the contract is in parol and part in writing, the parol part can be proven if it does not contradict or change that which is written. Nissen v. Mining Co., 104 N. C., 310, and citations in annotated edition.
It is true, also, that an agreement for the conveyance of land is not binding unless reduced to writing and signed by the party to be charged; but a guarantee of the number of acres, like the receipt of the purchase money or recital of the consideration, is not required to be in writing. Sherrill v. Hagan, 92 N. C., 349; McGee v. Craven, 106 N. C., 356; Currie v. Hawkins, 118 N. C., 595; Quin v. Sexton, 125 N. C., 452; Brown v. Hobbs, 147 N. C., 77.
In requiring, therefore, the plaintiff to show that the guarantee of the acreage was omitted from the instrument by mistake, the court placed an undue burden upon the plaintiff, but of this the defendant cannot complain.
In a contract to convey, or a conveyance of land, if there is a shortage in the number of acres, the grantee is not entitled to a pro rata abatement in the purchase price if both parties had equal source of information (which was not the case here), unless the vendee has taken a guarantee as to the number of acres. Smathers v. Gilmer, 126 N. C., 757. But this is what the plaintiff contends he did on this occasion, and the jury has found this issue in accordance with his testimony. It was optional with the vendee, in view of so material a* shortage, to cancel the contract or to take the deed with pro rata abatement in the price. 26 A. & E. (2d Ed.), 116.
The defendant contends that the verdict was inconsistent in ■6Tiding on the third issue that the defendant believed the land contained 100 acres, and in response to the sixth issue that he
Tbe foregoing is tbe case presented bere. Tbe plaintiff is entitled to precisely tbe same relief, regardless of which of tbe issues (three and six) tbe jury answered affirmatively. In no phase of tbe case is the defendant entitled to a decree upon tbe findings of tbe jury; and by no possibility, with reference to tbe relief sought, is injury done him by the findings on tbe sixth issue.
There were sundry exceptions to tbe evidence, in which we find no error 'and which require no discussion, in view of wbat we bave said, which is also conclusive as to tbe exceptions, for tbe refusal of certain prayers for- instructions. Tbe charge was full and complete, and not excepted to, in any material particular. Tbe jury evidently understood the facts in issue and bave determined them.
As to tbe ninth issue, tbe plaintiff was entitled to recover the net value of tbe wheat crop, if (as tbe jury found) it was to pass to tbe vendee, but-not tbe expense of bringing bis son and family from Virginia and boarding them while disappointed of getting possession. This was too remote. Tbe damages while wrongfully kept out of possession of realty are tbe rents and profits, while tbe vendor is entitled to interest on tbe purchase money. If there were any mesne profits, except tbe wheat, probably the parties can agree as to their value; if not, tbe court below will permit the plaintiff to amend bis complaint, and there will be a new trial of the ninth issue, as to tbe wheat and value of other mesne profits. In all other respects we find
No error.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- M. W. STERN v. W. J. BENBOW
- Cited By
- 18 cases
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- Published