Evans v. Glencross

HAWKINS, J. This was an action commenced in the lower court to recover of the appellant the sum of $837. The complaint set out two causes of í ction: First, for $444, balance alleged to be due on a building contract set out in the complaint; second, for $393, for extra materials and labor alleged to have been furnished by appellees to appellant, and for which it is alleged appellant agreed to pay appellees reasonable prices, and that a reasonable price for the same was $393. An itemized account for such materials is set out in detail in the complaint. The appellees, in their cause of action on the building contract, allege a compliance with all the conditions and terms of said contract, so far as the same was not afterwards modified. A copy of the contract is attached to the complaint, and one of the specifications therein is: “And [225] it is further agreed by said Frank Gleneross, William Brother-ton, and H. W. Ryder, the parties of the second part, that they will pay all bills for labor and materials, and deliver the building clear and free from all claims, liens, etc., of every description, immediately after the completion of the work, and furnish all bills receipted before the last payment will be made; and the parties of the second part further agree to guaranty the full payment of claims that may be presented and approved within six months after the building may be completed.” Appellant seems to rely upon the following of said conditions: “And furnish all bills receipted before the last payment may be made.” The answer is a special denial, admitting and denying 'Certain allegations of the complaint, and there is no special denial as to the performance of this particular condition. The jury rendered a verdict for $685 for appellees, and judgment was rendered thereon against appellant. Appellant moved for a new trial, and set out the following grounds: First, the verdict is contrary to, and not sustained by, the evidence; second, that the verdict is contrary to, and not supported by, the law; third, that, the verdict is contrary to the law and evidence; fourth, for errors of law committed by the court on the trial of said cause, in admitting and rejecting evidence offered, and errors in .giving and refusing instructions offered and requested to be given to the jury. A motion in arrest was made: “That the pleadings and proof in the case, as now appears of record, show that the plaintiffs had no cause of action against defendant at the time of bringing suit, at the trial, or rendition of verdict, or at the date of filing his motion.” This motion was overruled. The allegation of the complaint, not being controverted by appellant, was taken as admitted; and the testimony of Glen-cross on cross-examination was irrelevant and immaterial and improper cross-examination, and no doubt would have been stricken out if objection had been made thereto. If appellant had intended to rely upon this condition of the contract, he should have denied in his answer that the same had been fulfilled, or specially pleaded the same as a matter of defense. The action appears to have been tried in line of the theory set up in the complaint and answer. Appellant pleaded that the work in the building was not done in a workmanlike man [226] ner and within the time specified in the contract, and set up various claims for damages, for overtime, the unskillful manner of work done on roof, also overcharge for extra work; and the verdict of the jury shows he was allowed $150 therefor. Whether the contract has been performed, or its performance waived, is usually a question of fact, for the jury. Thompson on Trials, par. 1141. Under the instructions given, it seems to have been fairly submitted to the jury, and was settled by the jury. The question upon which appellant relies now does not seem to have been raised in the /notion for a new trial, or the motion in arrest of judgment; and if it were material under the pleadings, the bill of exceptions does not purport to give all the evidence, and we cannot say that Brotherton or Ryder did not furnish the bills receipted, notwithstanding the statement of Glencross,—that is to say, the proof will be presumed to have been supplied, unless the error is affirmatively shown. Ford v. Holton, 5 Cal. 320; Todd v. Winants, 36 Cal. 129. The question upon which appellant now relies not having been specially pleaded in the court below, nor raised in either of his motions, he cannot now raise the same for the first time in this court. Estate of McCarty, 58 Cal. 335. The record further shows that appellant was notified of the completion of the house, and that it would be delivered to him upon his paying for same; that he took possession by means of pass-keys, without talcing the trouble to get the keys from the contractors, or paying for it; and he submitted his controversy fairly to a jury. So we are unable to see wherein he has any just cause of complaint at the verdict. Judgment affirmed. Sloan, J., and Rouse, J., concur.