United States v. Humboldt Lovelock Irr. Light & Power Co.
United States v. Humboldt Lovelock Irr. Light & Power Co.
Opinion of the Court
To plaintiff’s Bill of Complaint, defendant filed a pleading designated: “Answer and Counter-claim.” To the latter pleading plaintiff filed a motion designated: “Motion to Dismiss Defendant’s CounterClaim.”
The subject matter of the suit is water rights in the Humboldt River purchased by plaintiff from certain landowners having water rights in said river for the irrigation of certain lands in Lander County and the transfer of said rights down the course of the river for use upon lands within the Pershing County Conservation District. The water in question before reaching the Conservation District must pass head gates of certain canals used by defendant for the purpose of diverting water for temporary storage in its reservoirs. The complaint of plaintiff prays for decree requiring return of certain water allegedly unlawfully taken by defendant and for other relief. Defendant by its answer and counter-claim sets up conflicting rights in the. waters of said river to rights alleged by plaintiff.
The pleading designated — “Answer and: Counter-Claim” — concludes: “Wherefore,, defendant, having fully answered, prays
Then follows seven paragraphs, specifying different forms of relief to be provided for by decree, five of which are-based in whole or in part upon the counter-claim. The main contention in support of the motion to dismiss relates to the-sixth paragraph praying for judgment “to. the extent of $10,000, — and no more” for the reasonable value of waters alleged “to. have been inequitably had and received by the plaintiff.” We need not now determine-whether defendant could receive a money judgment against plaintiff. The mere fact, if it be a fact, that defendant by its.
The motion to dismiss should be denied.
It is so ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES v. HUMBOLDT LOVELOCK IRR. LIGHT & POWER CO. (PERSHING COUNTY WATER CONSERVATION DIST. OF NEVADA, Interveners)
- Status
- Published