133 N.Y.S. 774 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1912
This appeal is from an order of the Special Term that denies a motion to vacate an order for the discharge of a mechanic’s
The provisions for notice of justification of the sureties are contained in section 19 of the Lien Law. The general provision is as follows: “A copy of the undertaking, with notice that the sureties will justify before the court, or a judge or justice thereof, at the time and place therein mentioned, must be served upon the lienor or his attorney, not less than five days before such time.” This contemplates personal service upon the lienor or his attorney. (Matter of Sullivan, 31 Misc. Rep. 1, and cases cited; affd., 53 App. Div. 637; Nichols N. Y. Pr. 647, and cases cited.) There is no contention that such service was made in this proceeding. The further provision for service is as follows: “If the lienor cannot be found, or does not appear by attoihey, such service may be made by leaving a copy of said undertaking and notice at the lienor’s place of residence, or if a corporation at its principal place of business within the State as stated in the notice of lien, with a person of suitable age and discretion therein, or if the house of his abode or its place "of business is not stated in said notice of hen and is not known, then in such manner as the court may direct. The premises, if any, described in the notice of lien as the lienor’s residence or place of business shall be deemed to be his said residence or its place of business for the purposes of said service at the time thereof, unless it is shown affirmatively that the person serving the papers or directing the service had knowledge to the contrary.” Respondent contends, “ It is apparent from the context of Section 19, Subdivision 4, Mechanic’s Lien Law, 1909, and the circumstances surrounding the case at bar, that it was legal and proper ” for the court to direct the said service by mail. And his argument is that as the assignee and lienor is a resident of Chicago, 111., with no place of abode within the State where service could be effected, it was legal and proper to direct service “in such manner as the court may direct.” The expression “ apparent from the context [of the statute] and the circum
I think that the order must he reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements, and the motion to reinstate the lien must be granted, with ten dollars costs.
Thomas, Carr and Woodward, JJ., concurred; Burr, J., not voting.
Order reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements, and motion to reinstate lien granted, with ten dollars costs.
See 149 App. Div. 926. — [Rep.