Long v. . Townsend

DeviN, J. Tbis was a proceeding instituted by petitioners under cb. 94 of tbe Consolidated Statutes to acquire right to open or deepen a ditcb across defendant’s land for tbe purpose of draining a portion of tbe lands of petitioners. Tbe commissioners appointed by tbe clerk in accordance witb tbe provisions of tbe statute reported tbat upon tbe petitioners’ cleaning-out a certain connecting ditcb no damage would accrue to tbe defendant. Tbe report was subsequently remanded to tbe commissioners witb directions to assess an amount in money in lieu of tbe ditching required, and by a supplemental report tbe commissioners fixed tbe amount at $75.00. Exceptions were filed by tbe defendant, and in due course tbe cause was transferred to the civil issue docket for trial by jury, at term, on tbe issue of damages. Thereupon the petitioners tendered to defendant $75.00 plus $25.00 to be applied on costs, and placed same in tbe bands of tbe clerk. Tbis tender was not accepted by tbe defendant. Subsequently when tbe case came on for trial de novo in tbe Superior Court tbe following issue was submitted to tbe jury: “What damage, if any, would defendant sustain by plaintiffs’ digging tbe ditcb referred to in tbe petition?” To tbis tbe jury for its verdict answered, “No damages.” Motion to set aside tbe verdict was denied by tbe trial judge, but in tbe judgment it was decreed tbat tbe defendant recover of petitioners *724 non obstante veredicto tbe sum of $75.00, and that petitioners be taxed with costs of action accrued up to the trial term, and that defendant pay the costs of the term, the court being of opinion that the tender constituted an unconditional admission of liability to that amount. Petitioners excepted and appealed. We think there was error in the ruling of the court below and that judgment should have been rendered in accord with the verdict. We cannot hold that the tender made by petitioners was unconditional, or was intended or should be considered as a payment in any event to the defendant. While it was not in the form of a tender of judgment under C. S., 896, it was intended as an offer to comply with the terms of the commissioners’ supplemental report, for the purpose of affecting subsequent interest and costs. This is not a case where a plea of tender by a defendant constitutes an admission of indebtedness to the extent of the tender, but where those seeking affirmative relief, before trial, make an offer for the purpose of obviating further litigation. The defendant declined to accept the tender and proceeded with the trial. He submitted his cause to the jury in the hope of obtaining a larger amount and must be content with the verdict rendered. Having appealed to a jury of his county, he must abide the result. Ayden v. Lancaster, 195 N. C., 297, 142 S. E., 18; Durham v. Rigsbee, 141 N. C., 128 (133), 53 S. E., 531; 26 R. C. L., 658. The cause is remanded to the end that the judgment be modified by eliminating therefrom recovery of' seventy-five dollars against the petitioners and striking out the order restraining the cutting of the ditch until that sum should be paid. Error and remanded.