Taylor v. White River Valley Ry. Co. , 29 S.D. 12 ( 1912 )

WHITING, J.

This cause is before the court upon a rehearing granted upon the petition of .appellant. The decision of the court upon the first hearing will be found reported in 27 S. D. 528, 132 N. W. 152, and reference is made thereto for a statement of the nature of the case.

The only question before us upon this rehearing is whether or not appellant failed to comply with the conditions of the contract known as “Exhibit C,” under which it agreed to “so maintain his [respondent’s] ditches across said right of way as not to interfere with the proper irrigation of the property.” The evidence upon this point is far from satisfactory, and, if the verdict of the jury had been in favor of appellant, we certainly .should not have disturbed it. While we think the location of the new ditches and of the culverts established by appellant was clearly such as to comply with the terms of such contract, yet there is some evidence supporting the claims: • (1) That that part of the new ditch spoken of by some of the witnesses as the “borrow ditch” was unfit for irrigation purposes owing to its width, and the resulting loss of water flowing through same. (2) That at least one of the culverts was not at the- proper level and was not properly connected with the ditch at either end. (3) That the new ditch below Swinehart Draw and south of the right of way was not of proper dimensions and on proper grade.

[1] It is'not within the proper exercise of the powers of this court to annul the verdict of the jury where the trial court would not have been justified in directing a different verdict, and it would not have been so justified in this case.

[2] Though not necessary for the determination of this appeal, but in order that there need be no misunderstanding of the rights of the parties- hereto, we feel justified in noticing another contention of respondent, as such contention appears from his evidence. He seems to be of the opinion that it is the duty of appellant to maintain and keep in proper condition for the carrying of irrigation water all of the new ditches established by appellant. In this he is in error; it was appellant’s duty to establish a proper and adequate system of ditches so “as not to interfere with the proper irrigation of the property.” When such was established, its only remaining duty was to maintain the ditches and culverts upon the right of way so that the irrigation water could at all proper times pass freely across such right of way from one part of the irrigation system to another.

The judgment of -the trial court, as well as the former decision of this court, are affirmed.

McCOY, P. J., and SMITH, J., dissent.