Gethins v. Breeyear

252 Mass. 326 | Mass. | 1925

Carroll, J.

This action is to recover on two checks signed by the defendant as maker and drawn on the Back Bay National Bank, one for $25 dated March 28,1922, payable to the order of “Cash,” and one for the sum of $75 dated April 3, 1922, payable to the plaintiff. The defendant’s contention is that there was no evidence of presentment. The judge found that the checks were presented at the bank. Both bore the notation, “Protested Non payment G. K. Gashell Notary Public May 24, 1922.” No seal of the notary public was attached to the notation, but no objection was made to the notation, and the certificate was in the case without exception.

Assuming that under ordinary circumstances the drawer is not held until the check has been presented to the bank and payment refused, Usher v. A. S. Tucker Co. 217 Mass. 441, “The protest of a bill of exchange, promissory note or order for the payment of money certified by a notary public under his hand and official seal shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in such protest, and of the giving of notice to the drawer or endorser.” G. L. c. 107, § 13. Manufacturers National Bank v. Simon, 245 Mass. 325.

The official seal of a notary should be added to the certificate to make it prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice to the drawer. Manufacturers National Bank v. Simon, supra. See Opinion of the Justices, 150 Mass. 586, 589; Johnson v. Brown, 154 Mass. 105. If objection were made, the certificate without a seal could not be received in evidence. It was incompetent, but incompetent evidence which is admitted without objection, becomes evidence in the case and has probative effect. Damon v. Carrol, 163 Mass. 404, 409. Walker Ice Co. v. American Steel & Wire Co. 185 Mass. 463, 481. Rapson v. Leighton, 187 Mass. 432. Jaquith v. Morrill, 204 Mass. 181, 189. There are exceptions to this rule. Where paroi evidence is admitted without objection, it can have no effect to vary a written instrument. Black v. Bachelder, 120 Mass. 171. Mears v. Smith, 199 Mass. 319. But this exception has no applicatibn in the case at bar. There was evidence from the certificate under the hand of the notary public that the check was presented May 24, 1922, and payment refused. This was some evidence of its presentment. There was no error of law in finding that the checks were duly presented at the bank.

The other questions arising at the trial are not argued by the defendant in his brief, and we treat them as waived.

Order dismissing report affirmed.