Case ID: ny-st-rep_34/html/0059-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Henry B. Sire, App’lt, v. George W. Rumbold et al., Resp’ts.
    
      (City Court of New York,
    
    
      General Term,
    
    
      Filed December 1, 1890.)
    
    Evidence—Parol to explain written instrument.
    A lease of premises recited that the landlord intended to build on said premises and those adjoining, and that while the building continued the rent was to be at a certain rate. • Held, that the lease was ambiguous as to the nature of the improvements contemplated and the time of their commencement and completion, and that paroi evidence as to those subjects was admissible.
    Appeal from judgment entered on verdict in favor of defendants.
    
      Alberti. Sire, for app’lt; A. Illing, for'resp’ts.
   Per Curiam.

Ye adhere to the rule that paroi testimony cannot be received which tends to alter or vary the terms of a written instrument, and hold that the oral testimony admitted here did not violate this elementary principle. The seventeenth paragraph of the lease recites that the landlord intends to build upon the demised premises and those adjoining, and that while the building continues the rent is to be $100 a month instead of $125, as provided for in the first portion of the lease. We treat this provision as a declaration by the landlord that material changes were to be made affecting the premises. The lease is ambiguous as to the nature of the improvements contemplated, and as to when they were to be commenced and completed, and in respect to these subjects oral proof was properly received. As between the parties to a deed, evidence is admissible to show the purpose and intention of executing the document provided it be perfectly consistent with the legal operation of the instrument, and not inconsistent with its express terms. When dates are left blank they may be supplied by oral proofs, and when a time is not specified and it is apparent that a definite, rather than indefinite, or reasonable time was intended, the intention may be made clear in like manner. In short, oral proofs may be received to give practical effect to an instrument according to the intention of the parties, when such proofs do not conflict -with the writing, and are necessary to make it intelligible. There was enough in the case to require its submission to the jury, but the plaintiff did not ask to go there, but moved for judgment. He cannot now complain that the trial ' judge disposed of the issue as one of law. Green v. Shute, 26 N. Y. State Rep., 114. No error was committed, and the judgment appealed from must be affirmed, with costs.

McAdam, Ch. J., and Fitzsimons, J., concur.