Miller v. Lake Irrigation Co.

Washington Supreme Court
Miller v. Lake Irrigation Co., 33 Wash. 132 (Wash. 1903)
74 P. 61; 1903 Wash. LEXIS 498

Miller v. Lake Irrigation Co.

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam.

For a statement of this case, reference is made to the opinion of this court on a prior appeal, re*135ported in 27 Wash. 447, 67 Pac. 996, where the case was remanded for further proceedings.

In answer to appellants’ contention that the court had no authority, under the pleadings, to establish priorities or to grant injunctive relief, we refer to the opinion above cited, where this court said:

“The theory of the complaint is to quiet the title of contending claimants for the use of the waters of Stemilt Creek. It is also the theory of the answering defendants.”

Again it was said:

“But the priority of right to the use of the waters from this stream was the vital issue before the court.”

And in order, as it was said, that the superior court should have an opportunity to find the necessary facts, and to determine the priorities of the respective parties to the use of the waters in controversy, the cause was remanded to the superior court—quoting the language of this court—

“to try the same upon the testimony adduced, and such further evidence as may be produced by the parties, and to determine the priority of rights of the respective claimants, and by decree to establish such priorities and enjoin all parties perpetually from interference with such rights so decreed.”

Unchallenged by petition for rehearing or otherwise, the cause was remanded, with the above specific instructions, and was tried by the lower court upon the theory suggested by this court, and, we think, was properly tried.

On the merits, from an examination of the testimony, we do not feel justified in disturbing the findings or conclusions of the court. The number of findings made by the court was not material, as they did not conflict with each other, and all the findings were within the pleadings and the jurisdiction of the court.

The judgment is affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
Phillip Miller v. Lake Irrigation Company, and and Philander Wood
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published
Syllabus
Law of the Case—Objections Conflicting with Decision on Former Appeal. Objection to the establishment of priorities of right in the use of water in a stream and to injunctive relief, under the pleadings, cannot be made after the supreme court on a former appeal has established as the law of the case that such question is the vital question, and remanded the cause for the purpose of determining the same and perpetully enjoining interference therewith. Irrigation—Priorities—Sufficiency of Evidence. Findings and conclusions establishing the priority of appropriations of water for irrigation not disturbed. Findings—Number of. The number of findings is immaterial where they are not conflicting and are within the pleadings and jurisdiction of the'court.