#### Harold G. Villard, Respondent, *v.*William L. Moyer, Appellant.

Second Department,

January 10, 1908.

Contract construed ¡—agreement to purchase stock from several persons — obligation several, not joint.

When several persons carry for the benefit of another a certain amount of stock *pro rata*according to the amount of their respective interests in a corporation, said person agreeing to take up the stock from time to time at its cost price, the obligation to take the stock from each person carrying the same is several, and any one of them may sue the promisor on his default without joining the other parties to the contract.

Appeal by the defendant, William L. Moyer, from an interlocutory judgment of the Supreme Court in favor of the plaintiff, entered in the office of ¿he clerk of the county of Westchester on the 3d day of June,. 1907, upon the decision of the court, rendered *630after a trial at the'Westchester Special Term, overruling’ the defendant’s demurrer to the complaint.

*C. N. Bovee,*for the appellant.

*William M. Wherry, Jr.,*for the respondent.

Rich, J.:

This action was brought by plaintiff as assignee of Goldsborough, Yillard *&*Warner to recover damages for breach of a written contract in the. form of a letter as follows : ■ .

> “ *8th November,*1902.

> “ Thos. IT. Hubbáed, Esq., ■

> • “Mo. 25 Broad Street,

> .“Mew York City:

> “ Deas Sie.— I beg to say that after leaving you yesterday after- . noon I saw Mr. Moyer and Mr. Haley Eiske, and definitely dosed the matter with them on the basis agreed to by you and me, to wit:

> “Mr. Moyer is to take the presidency of the banking corporation. He is to be assured of the presidency for five years, with the hearty support of all interests; salary $25,000 per year. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, you and my firin' are to carry for Mr. Moyer’s benefit one thousand (1,000) shares of the capital stock of the banking corporation for a period not to exceed three years, and at an interest rate not exceeding 5 per cent, per annum. Mr. Moyer is to take up same from time to time as it is convenient'for him to do so, paying therefor the cost price of the stock to us and interest upon the same at the rate of five per cent. (5%). per annum up to the time he takes up the. stock. This stock is to be carried by the parties . named pro rata according to the amount of their respective interests in the banking -corporation. .

> “ Yery truly' yours,

> “(Signed) G: C. WARMER,

> “ We agree to the above-.

> “(signed) W. L. Motee,

> Metbopólitah Life Insueahce Co.,

> Thos. II. Hhbbaed, ■ . '

> Goldsbobohgh, Yillaed & Wabhee.”

The only breach of the contract alleged consisted in the refusal of-the defendant to take up one-sixth of the 1,000 shares of--stock *631tendered by plaintiff’s assignors, who had carried the same for over three years. The only question presented for our consideration arises upon a demurrer tó the complaint upon the ground of defect of parties plaintiff. The learned justice at Special Term overruled the demurrer, holding that the contract obligation of the plaintiff’s assignors, the insurance company - and Hubbard, was several as to- the extent and number of shares of the banking stock- each was to carry for defendant’s benefit, from which it followed that the complaint stated a cause of action against the defendant. This, ruling was clearly right; and iii such an action it is not necessary to join the other contracting parties having no interest or right in the cause of action alleged.

The interlocutory judgment must be affirmed, with costs.

Woodward and Jenks, JJ., concurred; Gaynor, J., concurred in separate memorandum, with whom Hiller, J., concurred.

Gaynor, J. (concurring):

Three agree to carry 1,000 shares of stock for the defendant for three years, not all to carry the 1,000 shares, however, but each to carry a stated proportion thereof, and the defendant to take .and pay for the same within the three years. This was a several obligation of each to him, and of him to each.

Miller, J., concurred.

Interlocutory judgment affirmed, with costs.