Case Name: James O. Rundell v. Henry L. Blakeslee, highway com'r and Chester W. Hopkins, township clerk
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1882-01-25
Citations: 47 Mich. 575
Docket Number: 
Parties: James O. Rundell v. Henry L. Blakeslee, highway com’r and Chester W. Hopkins, township clerk.
Judges: The other Justices concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 47
Pages: 575–576

Head Matter:
James O. Rundell v. Henry L. Blakeslee, highway com’r and Chester W. Hopkins, township clerk.
Jwy's finding in proceedings to lay out a prrimate way.
In. proceedings to lay out a private way the jury must find that there is a necessity for it; it is not enough to certify that they “adjudge and determine that a private highway be established.”
Certiorari.
Submitted Jan. 17.
Decided Jan. 25.
Jerome W. Turner for plaintiff in certiorari.
Hcmchett c& Stcurh for defendants in certiorari.

Opinion:
Marston, J.
This case comes before us on a writ of certiorari to review proceedings in laying out a private way. The jury certified that after viewing the premises and hearing the arguments of the parties interested, "We do adjudge, and deterinine that a private highway be established," commencing, etc., and they assess the damages. There is no. finding of necessity, nor the equivalent thereof. Jurors, may be willing to establish a highway or private way and yet not be willing to find that any necessity therefor exists. Such a finding is however essential. Ayres v. Richards 38 Mich. 216.
The proceedings must be quashed.
The other Justices concurred.