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24 Jones & S. 465

Avery v. Starbuck

The Superior Court of New York City · decided 1889-03-05

<p> Supplemental answer, not allowed to set up an unsubstantial defence, nor to set up a record which, without being set up by answer, can be read in evidence with like effect as if set up. </p> <p>Where it appears by the moving papers that the matters sought to be set up in the supplemental answer as a plea in bar to an action on a quantum •meruit, for work done and materials furnished on a vessel, is a judgment of the United States District Court against the plaintiff, rendered after a trial of the issues joined by a libel filed by him against the vessel to enforce a claimed lien thereon for such work and materials, and the answer thereto filed by the owner of the vessel (being also the defendant) who asks leave to serve a supplemental answer dismissing the libel on the ground that no maritime lien existed, the motion for leave to serve a supplemental answer should be denied.</p>

Relies on Marston v. . Swett

Decided 1889-03-05

By the Court.—Sedgwick, Ch., J.

¶1The action was for work and materials furnished to defendant for a certain yacht. The defendant answered. Afterwards he made the motion below which was to allow him to serve a supplemental answer alleging that, since the former answer, judgment had been entered in favor of defendant, in a suit in the U. S. District Court, in which the plaintiff was the present plaintiff, and alleging that the suit in the District Court was brought upon the same grounds and for the same relief as claimed in this action.

¶2On the motion it indubitably appeared that the suit in the District Court, was terminated in favor of this defendant without any adjudication of whether or not *468the plaintiff had a claim for work and materials, and that the proceeding being in rein, the actual adjudication was, that if the plaintiff had a personal claim he had no lien upon the vessel, and this led to a dismissal of the libel.

¶3I am of opinion, that it so certainly appeared, that the answer proposed could not sustain the defence by way of bar upon the fact, that the judge was right in not allowing an unsubstantial defence, but I also take into consideration that the defendant will have a right upon the trial to present the same record, as evidence of the facts in issue, and with conclusive effect, if the appellant should be right in his present assertion as to the effect of the record in the District Court. Marston v. Swett, 66 N. Y. 206; Krekeler v. Ritter, 62 Ib. 372.

¶4The order should be affirmed with $10 costs.

¶5Truax and Dugro, JJ., concurred.

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