The opinion of the court was delivered by
This action is founded upon section 7, c. 24, Gen. Sts. The plaintiff seeks to recover a penalty of the defendant for tearing down gates and bars on a pent road. In order to recover the penalty, the plaintiff must prove that “ he is interested in the lands” exposed to injury by the removing of the bars and gates. The true limits of a justice’s jurisdiction “ where the title to land is concerned,” has been carefully defined by the courts of this State. In Jakeway v. Barrett, 38 Vt. 316, Poland, C. J., says: “ Whenever the declaration is of such a character that, under the general issue, or any other plea which merely puts the plaintiff to the necessity- of proving the declaration, he is bound either to prove or disprove title to land, the justice has no jurisdiction.” In an action on the case for obstructing a water course, Haven v. Needham, 20 Vt. 183, also for erecting a nuisance too near the plaintiff’s dwelling, Whitney v. Bowen, 11 Vt. 250, jurisdiction was denied to a justice. Under this declaration, if the general issue be pleaded, the plaintiff must prove that he has such interest in lands exposed to injury as the statute requires; without such proof, his action fails. And we think this case comes within the principle adjudged in the cases referred to; and that the case was properly dismissed.
Judgment affirmed.