The refusal to dismiss the action will not be disturbed on appeal (Griffin v. Bank, 205 N. C., 253, 171 S. E., 71), but there was error in ordering a compulsory reference without first disposing of the pleas in bar. C. S., 573; Garland v. Arrowood, 172 N. C., 591, 90 S. E., 766; Jones v. Wooten, 137 N. C., 421, 49 S. E., 915; Royster v. Wright, 118 N. C., 152, 24 S. E., 746. Error in this respect is confessed by appellee.

Error.