Court Opinion

ID: 9660925
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 22:24:20.58733+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:23.442110
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE HAMILTON
concurring on Motion for Rehearing.
While adhering to my dissent filed herein, I concur in the per curiam opinion of this court delivered February 21, 1962, holding that there was no evidence of probative force in the record to support the finding of the jury that the well on Section 292 is not producing in paying quantities. However, I would render judgment holding the lease valid as to Section 292 rather than remand the case for new trial as to this section only.
Since this case is being remanded as to Section 292 in the interest of justice, this court, in order to be consistent, should also remand the case as to Sections 4, 282, and the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 284 in the interest of justice. On the trial of the case the Archers went into the matter of the cost of repairs and depreciation, but failed to make proof of any such expenses of operation. They had as much opportunity to make such proof as they will ever have on another trial.
This court in its original opinion upheld the judgment of the trial court canceling the lease as to Section 4, 282, and the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 284 on the theory that the lease was ambiguous and that the trial court made an implied finding that the parties intended that a producing gas well would hold only one section after the end of the primary term. This court held that no attack was made on such finding of the trial court, and on this ground rendered judgment canceling the lease as to said sections.
It is evident why Skelly made no attack on such finding of *352the trial court. The parties did not try this case on the theory on which this court decided the case. The Court of Civil Appeals did not decide the case on this theory. Neither of the parties briefed the case on this theory in the Court of Civil Appeals or in this court. It appears that this is one of the situations in which it was intended that Rule 505, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, should be applicable. I would not sever the issue as to Section 292, but would remand the entire cause as to the four sections here involved to the trial court for retrial.
Opinion delivered April 4, 1962.