Dale v. Duffy

Christianson, Ch. J. This is an appeal from an order appointing a receiver. It appears that on or about January, 1918, the plaintiff and the defendant Duffy entered into a contract whereby the defendant agreed to farm during the seasons of 1918 and 1919 certain lands which the plaintiff held under a lease. In connection with such farming operations a large tractor was obtained. This controversy involves the ownership of such tractor. On this appeal, appellants have argued two questions: (1) That the evidence fails to show that the plaintiff has any interest in the tractor; and (2) that if he has such interest, he has an adequate remedy by means of an action for accounting, and by the enforcement by execution of any judgment he might obtain in such action. We are entirely satisfied that upon the record before us we would not be justified in disturbing the order of the trial court upon either of the grounds. Under our statute “a receiver may be appointed by the court in which an action is pending, or by a judge thereof: “1. In an action . . . between partners or others jointly owning or interested in any property or fund, on the application of the plaintiff, or of any party whose right to or interest in the property or fund or the proceeds thereof is probable, and when it is shown that the property or fund is in danger of being lost, removed or materially injured. “6. In all other cases where receivers have heretofore been appointed by the usages of courts of equity.” Comp. Laws 1913, § 7588. Upon the hearing of the application for the appointment of a receiver, [35] many affidavits were submitted upon tbe questions involved. Tbe affidavits submitted by tbe plaintiff were to tbe effect, and tended to show, tbat be is tbe owner of a one-balf interest in tbe tractor; tbat tbe relations between tbe parties in connection with wbicb tbe tractor was purchased bave terminated; tbat tbe present relations between tbe parties are rather strained; tbat tbe defendants are not financially responsible; tbat tbe tractor is in need of repairs, and continued use thereof by defendants will materially reduce its value; tbat tbe interest of tbe plaintiff in such tractor does not appear of record, and tbat such interest might be seriously affected by a sale or encumbrance of tbe tractor by tbe defendants. Plaintiff’s claim that be is tbe owner of a one-balf interest in tbe tractor is corroborated by tbe cashier of tbe bank from whom tbe tractor was purchased. Appellants bave asked for a trial de novo in this court. This is not a case properly triable anew here. Tbe statute authorizing trials anew in this court applies to judgments only. Comp. Laws 1913, § *7 846, This case has not been tried on its merits. No judgment has been entered. There has been merely an order appointing a receiver. The appeal before us is from tbat order. Tbe question here is whether tbe plaintiff made a showing justifying tbe appointment of a receiver under our laws. We are of tbe opinion tbat tbe facts stated in tbe affidavits of tbe plaintiff bring tbe case within tbe statutory provisions above quoted. Tbe trial court was vested with considerable discretion in determining tbe disputed questions of fact wbicb arose, as well as whether tbe ends of justice required tbe appointment of a receiver. We are agreed tbat it cannot be said upon tbe record before us tbat tbe court erred in appointing a receiver. Order affirmed. Bronson, Bobinson, and Birdzell, JJ., concur. Grace, L, concurs in tbe result.