Case ID: mich_47/html/0469-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Cooley, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Delos A. Blodgett, relator v. James Whaley, highway commissioner and Asaph Vance, clerk of the township of Clam Lake.
    
      Laying out highway — Desoi'iption—Notice.
    An order of a highway commissioner to lay out a highway beginning at a certain point- “running nearly in a northwesterly direction near where the travel is now seeking to get the best route ” to another specific,point, is void for the uncertainty in the description.
    The proceedings in laying out a highway cannot be sustained unless it appears that the statutory notice of the proceedings was given.
    Certiorari.
    Submitted Jan. 5.
    Decided Jan. 18.
    
      Ghamplin & More for relator.
   Cooley, J.

The writ of certiora/ri in this case brings under review the proceedings on laying out. a highway in the township of Clam Labe. On inspection the proceedings-appear to be fatally defective for two reasons:

1. The description of the proposed route is uncertain and for that reason insufficient. In all the papers it is as follows: “In the township of Clam Lake, Wexford county, Michigan, commencing three rods south of the quarter post on the east line of section ten in said township, running-nearly in a northwesterly direction, near where the travel is-now seeking to get the best route, continuing the said highway till it gets to the limits of the city of Cadillac.” No-survey appears, and no monuments except as indicated in this description. A line “ near ” a route not yet found, but-which “ travel is now seeking,” must be as uncertain a line-as ingenuity could well suggest.

2. It does not appear’ that notice of the application to layout the highway was ever given. There is no proof of notice-on file, and plaintiff in error denies having received any. The absence of proof of notice is fatal. Gray v. Commissioner of Highways 40 Mich. 165; Names v. Commissioners of Highways 30 Mich. 490.

The proceedings must be quashed.

The other Justices concurred.