Lance v. Russell
Lance v. Russell
Opinion of the Court
The motion to dismiss the action upon the ground that the complaint is insufficient is based upon the -allegations contained in the ninth paragraph of the complaint, the defendant contending that it is there in substance alleged that the plaintiff is resisting a recovery of possession of the land, conveyed by the defendant to H. T. Brown, and if so, that he is not entitled to an account of the purchase money.
The allegations of the complaint do not, however, go as far as the defendant insists. It is not alleged that the plaintiff is a party to the action instituted against Ducker, or that there
Under these allegations, Brown acquired title to the land, and the only redress for the plaintiff is against the defendant in this action.
The case rests largely on the principles declared in Sprinkle v. Wellborn, 140 N. C., 178, and, in our opinion, a cause of action is stated in the complaint.
The remaining question is as to the power of the judge to set aside the order of reference and the report of the referee.
If it was within his discretion, we have no right to interfere with its lawful exercise.
The authorities seem to be uniform that neither party can withdraw from a consent reference, and that it cannot be set aside except by mutual consent, but that the court retains jurisdiction and may, for good cause shown, set aside the order of reference as well as the report. Bushee v. Surles, 79 N. C., 53; Patrick v. R. R., 101 N. C., 604; Smith v. Hicks, 108 N. C., 251; Cummings v. Swepson, 124 N. C., 584; Brockett v. Gilliam, 125 N. C., 382.
The judge, in effect, finds as a fact that the plaintiff was misled, and that he consented to the reference because it was represented that H. T. Brown was a party to the agreement and would be bound by it, when in fact no one had authority to represent him, which is, we think, “good cause shown.”
We find no error.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- F. A. LANCE v. J. N. RUSSELL
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published