Houlihan v. S. Bolton's Sons

Kiley, J.: On the 27th day of May, 1913, the plaintiff, by an instrument in writing, leased her hotel or saloon property in the village of Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., to Peter Smith for a term of five years, with the privilege of renewing the lease for five years. The defendant guaranteed the payment of the rent reserved in said lease. Smith continued in possession until July 28 or 29, 1918, a month over the time specified for the termination of the five years’ lease. There can be no quarrel with plaintiff’s contention that such holding over operated as a renewal of the lease, unless such holding over was the result of an agreement between plaintiff and Smith that he should occupy the premises for that month without being obligated as one holding over. Defendant and Smith claim that the occupation for the month of July only was pursuant to such an agreement. Defendant repeatedly tried, upon the trial, to prove such an agreement made with plaintiff through her husband; such evidence was objected to by plaintiff upon the ground that plaintiff’s husband was not her agent. The objection was sustained and defendant was unable to prove it because of such ruling. The only business the lessee ever did with plaintiff was when she signed the lease; all negotiations were with plaintiff’s husband, and he did all collect [423] ing of rents, repairs, etc. Agency was, at least, a question of fact and the evidence precluded was competent. It was competent on the question of agency. (Badger v. Cook, 117 App. Div. 328.) At page 330 of the opinion we find the following: “ It was also error to exclude the conversation between plaintiff and Pond [agent] in reference to these cattle just prior to their purchase from the defendant [Cook]. This conversation was offered for the purpose of proving the agency of Pond in respect to the cattle and should have been received for such purpose.” Had the evidence offered by defendant been received there can be no question but what the rule laid down in Douglas v. N. Y. Central & H. R. R. R. Co. (105 App. Div. 65) would apply. It was error to reject this evidence; its purport was vital to defendant’s case. The judgment should be reversed, with costs. All concur. Judgment reversed and new trial granted, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.