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3 Thomp. & Cook 493

Costello v. Dale

New York Supreme Court

Decided May 15, 1874

New York Supreme Court · decided 1874-05-15

Dale to foreclose a mechanic’s lien, filed by him against certain premises at Kingsbridge in said county, owned by the defendant to secure the sum of $505.88, alleged to be due to him for work and labor performed upon said premises. The answer of the defendant denied the lien and the filing of the requisite notice, and all other allegations of the complaint except that she owned the premises, and that the claimant had done certain work for which he had been fully paid.

Decided 1874-05-15

Barnard, P. J.

¶1This case presents but a single question. The action was to enforce a lien for labor. The work was commenced under a written contract to pías ter a house for an agreed sum, in April, 1872. The plaintiff did other work by order of defendant, from time to time during the summer, and the last work was done, as testified by him, on the 14th of August, 1872. The lien was filed September 7, 1872.

¶2The defendant asked the court to charge the jury as matter of law, that all of the work done previous to thirty days before the lien was filed must be excluded. The court declined so to charge, and this is the single error alleged. The lien act gives liens for labor done, provided the notice is filed within thirty days after the performance and completion of such labor. The plaintiff’s evidence tended to establish that the work was done on the same premises, and was done by order of defendant, during the period in which the work was done under the written contract, and, subsequently; that it was all really one piece of work, although the items were directed and done at different times, between April and the 14th of August. If the plaintiff was to be credited, he was entitled, under the lien act, to all his labor. Chap. 558, Laws of 1869.

¶3The county judge, therefore, properly refused to charge as requested, and the judgment should be affirmed, with costs.

¶4Judgment affirmed.

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