Phelps v. Laird ( 1878 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Dunton, J.

The extent or levy in question was returned on the 4th'day of December, 1874. The petition and a certified copy of the judgment, execution and extent, were filed in this court, in Essex County, at the August Term thereof, A. D. 1876, at which term the cause was continued, for notice to the defendant, to the next term of said court; . the defendant being then a resident of New Hampshire, an order of publication was made therein. No publication was made, but the petition and a citation thereon in the usual form were served upon the defendant on the 24th day of July, A. D. 1877, whereby he was duly notified to appear before said court at the August Term thereof A. D. 1877, and answer to said petition. The defendant appeared at said last named term by his attorneys, and moved to dismiss the petition for the reason, among others, “ that said petition with a certified copy of the judgment, execution and extent were not filed in court within two years from the time said extent was returned, and due notice thereof given to the defendant.”

It will be perceived that while said petition with the necessary papers were filed in court within two years from the date of the return of the extent, the petition and citation were not served upon the defendant until after that period.

It is claimed by the counsel for the petitioner that this is a substantial compliance with the statute ; but the majority of the court think otherwise. In their opinion, it was the intention of the Legislature that these proceedings should be instituted, and due notice thereof given to the proper party or parties, within two years from the date of the return of the extent sought to be set aside.

There is no decision that we are aware of to aid us in construing the statute under which these proceedings were instituted ; and the position and wording of the last clause of the 47th section are sucli as to make it ambiguous and susceptible of either construction claimed for .it in the argument, but the majority of the court are of the opinion that it should be construed as above indicated, and that the motion to dismiss should prevail.

It is therefore adjudged that the petition be dismissed with costs.

Redfield and Dunton, JJ., dissent.