Rush v. Wagner

Jaycox, J.: The plaintiffs’ testator, Reese Carpenter, instituted this action in replevin to recover possession of an automobile which had been delivered to the defendant to make some repairs thereon. The agreement for the repairs was in writing and provided for repairs to the motor for approximately the sum of 1500. The defendant claims that during the time these repairs were being made, another contract was made by which the defendant was to repair the car generally and be paid the reasonable value of the labor and materials furnished. After the repairs were completed, there was a dispute as to the amount due, and the plaintiff made a tender of $700, and upon the defendant’s failure to accept that sum and deliver the automobile, this action was instituted. The proof as to the performance of the original contract shows conclusively that the defendant failed to perform and the court below so found. The proof as to the second contract consists of the testimony of an employee of the defendant, who testifies to hearing a conversation between Reese Carpenter and the defendant in which the defendant pointed out the necessity of the repairs, and in reply to questions said he could not tell how long it would take or how much it would cost. [504] “ The only way he could do it was by time and material.” To this Mr. Carpenter replied, “ all right.” The learned court below, with the advantage of seeing the witnesses, has found that this constituted an employment, and I see no reason to disturb that conclusion. The amount found to be due to the defendant under the second contract is $564.42. The plaintiffs having tendered the sum of $700, they contend that the defendant’s lien for work done upon the automobile was discharged. The defendant, on the other hand, insists that the lien could only be discharged by keeping the tender good and paying the money into court. I think the law is well settled that a tender of the amount due discharges the lien; the debt, however, remains. (Kortright v. Cady, 21 N. Y. 343; Tuthill v. Morris, 81 id. 94; Cass v. Higenbotam, 100 id. 248, 253; Werner v. Tuch, 127 id. 217; Nelson v. Loder, 132 id. 288; Schieck v. Donohue, 77 App. Div. 321; Lawrence v. Maxwell, 53 N. Y. 19; Matter of Mills, 57 Misc. Rep. 315.) If the plaintiffs desired to extinguish the debt or relieve themselves from the liability for costs and interest, then it was necessary that the tender be kept good by paying the amount into court. (Becker v. Boon, 61 N. Y. 317; Halpin v. Phenix Ins. Co., 118 id. 165; Tuthill v. Morris, supra; Railway Advertising Co. v. Posner, 31 Misc. Rep. 783; Falkenberg v. Bash, 33 id. 607; Margulies v. Goldstein, 85 N. Y. Supp. 1024.) In Halpin v. Phenix Ins. Co. (supra), speaking of a tender that has been kept good by payment into court, it was said: “ The effect of the tender is to stop interest and prevent costs, and to be effectual for such purpose must be kept good by the debtor, and whenever he seeks to make it the basis of affirmative relief, it must be paid into court, where the creditor can get it, and that fact alleged in the pleadings. It then becomes the creditor’s money, and the debtor cannot dispute his right to it.” In this case, therefore, the tender was sufficient to discharge the lien, but not to prevent liability for interest and costs. The judgment herein provides that the defendant is entitled to a lien upon the automobile until the amount of the judgment is paid. If I am correct in my conclusion that the tender discharged the lien, then the defendant is not entitled to this relief. [505] The judgment should be modified by striking out the provision giving the defendant a lien upon the automobile, and as so modified affirmed, without costs to either party. Jenks, P. J., Putnam, Blackmar and Kelly, JJ., concurred. Judgment modified by striking out the provision giving the defendant a lien upon the automobile, and as so modified affirmed, without costs to either party.