Kelly v. Wronkow

LEVENTRITT, J.

The defendant Henry Huber Company and the trustee in bankruptcy of the defendant ICurzrok, in an action brought to foreclose a mortgage, moved to set aside the report of the referee appointed to sell the mortgaged property on the ground that the referee illegally allowed the purchaser on the sale to deduct from the purchase price the amount due on a prior mortgage.

The summons and complaint in this action were duly served on these defendants. The defendant Kurzrok and his wife appeared and defaulted in pleading. The defendant Henry Huber Company defaulted both in appearance and pleading. The judgment of foreclosure and sale recognized the existence of the prior mortgage and directed that that portion of the premises covered by it be sold as one parcel. The notice of sale called attention to the fact that this parcel would be sold “subject to a prior mortgage” and interest. At the sale it was announced that bids would be received for the full value •of the parcel and that the purchaser would be permitted to deduct from the purchase price the amount of the prior mortgage. The •property was sold in accordance with these terms and the proper deduction made from the bid. The referee reported the sale, showing the amount bid, the deduction allowed, and the cash received. To that report no objections were filed, although notice of the presentation thereof was served on the defendant Kurzrolc’s attorneys. Thereafter, and in October,- 1907, upon notice to all parties who had appeared in the action, including the defendant Kurzrok, and upon the •county clerk’s certificate of no exceptions, the referee’s report of sale was “in all things” confirmed and declared to be absolute. The report of sale was filed before the petition in bankruptcy and was confirmed before the adjudication.

In view of the circumstances detailed, these applications cannot prevail. There is no suggestion of fraud or collusion, nor of inadequacy of price, and the rights of no party have been sacrificed or injured. The purchaser bought upon the terms advertised and announced at the sale. If the provision for payment was irregular, the irregularity was cured by the order confirming the referee’s report of sale. No exceptions have been filed to any of the proceedings, and no appeal taken from judgment or order. The sale has therefore become absolute as to the parties and their representatives.

The motions must be denied.