OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

The disputed language in paragraph 9 of the contract did not create a condition precedent to payment to the subcontractor, but rather established a time for payment (cf. Schuler-Hass Elec. Corp. v Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 40 NY2d *655883). Moreover, since the defendant insisted on trying the counterclaims on the merits, despite Special Term’s express offer to sever them because of possible prematurity, we cannot say as a matter of law that the Appellate Division abused its discretion in dismissing with prejudice when, as it eventuated there was “insufficient evidence in the record that the delay in payment was in fact due to any acts or omissions on the part of plaintiff” (see CPLR 5013).

Chief Judge Cooke and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Meyer concur.

Order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.