Thompson v. Hardman

By the statute, (1 N. R. L. 514. s. 16.) the Court of Chancery, in cases of partition pending therein, may decree a sale of the premises, in such cases as Courts of law are authorized by the act, or where the ends of justice shall require it. By the act, Courts of law are authorized to order a sale, when the commissioners shall return that a.partition cannot be made without great prejudice. The question is, whether this Court can ascertain the situation of the premises, and the necessity of a sale, by the report of a master, as well as of commissioners. A master is the ordinary and proper officer for such duties, and tie doubtless can perform the trust more conveniently than two or more commissioners. But as the sale is a power given by the statute, it may be well doubted whether' a master would have authority to execute conveyances to the purchasers. If a master was the only person *437to be employed, the Court would be obliged to compel the parties to convey, which may lead to great inconvenience and delay. If that course was to be pursued, the master might perform all the duties preparatory to the execution of the conveyances; but to convey without the act of the parties, and by the authority given by the statute, it would seem to be thé safer and better construction of the statute, that commissioners must be appointed to sell and convey, according to the course prescribed to the Courts of law.

The Chancellor, accordingly, allowed a reference to a master, to make the requisite report, but afterwards appointed commissioners to sell and convey.