Case Name: VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNSVILLE v. CRONK et al.
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1900-11-16
Citations: 67 N.Y.S. 419
Docket Number: 
Parties: VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNSVILLE v. CRONK et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 67
Pages: 419–421

Head Matter:
VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNSVILLE v. CRONK et al.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department.
November 16, 1900.)
Eminent Domain—Condemnation Proceedings—Costs.
Code Civ. Proc. § 3367, requires the court in condemnation proceedings either to try or refer any issue presented by the petition and- answer. Section 3372 declares that, if the plaintiff makes no offer to. purchase, the-court shall allow defendant costs, to be taxed at the same rate, as is allowed of course to the defendant when he is the prevailing party in an action in the supreme court, including the allowances for proceedings before and after notice of trial, with an additional allowance not exceeding 5 per cent, on the amount awarded. Meld, that where a petition was presented to the court for condemnation of property, and petitioner made no offer to purchase, but the owner served no answer, and no reference was ordered, and the only proceedings had were the assessment of damages-by commissioners appointed, who awarded defendant a certain sum, no issue was raised as contemplated by section 3367, and hence defendant, was not entitled to a trial fee as part of the costs of the proceeding.
Kellogg, J., dissenting.
Appeal from special term, Montgomery county.
Proceeding by the village of St. Johnsville against Charles Cronk, impleaded with others. From an order modifying the clerk’s taxation of costs, defendant appeals.
Affirmed.
A petition was presented to the special term of the supreme court by the-village of St. Johnsville, in 1899, for the condemnation of certain real estate for public use. No answer was served. No reference was ordered. Commissioners were appointed to assess damages. No offer of any sum was made by the petitioner. Such further proceedings were had to a conclusion that defendant Charles Gronk was awarded a substantial sum as the value of the real .estate so taken. On taxation of costs in favor of defendant Cronk, the clerk allowed a trial fee of $30, and $10 for a trial occupying more than two days. On application of plaintiff a review of such taxation of costs was had; at special teito, and an order was there made directing the clerk to strike out the items mentioned. From such order this appeal is taken.
Argued before PARKER, P. J., and MERWIN, SMITH, KELLOGG, and EDWARDS, JJ.
L. F. Fish (R. B. Fish, of counsel), for appellant.
Edward R. Hall (George 0. Butler, of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Order affirmed, with $10 costs and disbursements. All concur, except KELLOGG, J., who dissents.