49 Fla. 333 | Fla. | 1905
stating the facts.)
Three errors are assigned, the first being based upon the interlocutory order a®d the other two upon the final decree. ‘
It is contended by the appellant that the Chancellor erred in making the interlocutory order denying his motion for an extension of time in which to take testimony. The case of Long v. Anderson, 48 Fla. ...... 37 South. Rep. 216, is cited in support of this contention. We are of the opinion that the cited case, instead of supporting this contention, is adverse to it. In the seventh head note thereof we said that “The matter of extending the time for the taking of testimony in an equity suit is for the court below to decide, resting within the sound judicial discretion of such court, and ordinarily the determination of this question will not be disturbed by an appellate court; yet such ruling is reviewable on appeal, and where it is plainly made to appear that there has been an abuse of this judicial discretion it is the duty of an appellate court to interpose, and correct the same.”
Equity Rule 71 provides that “Three months, and no more,- shall be allowed for the taking of testimony after the cause is at-issue, unless the judge shall, upon special cause shown by either party, enlarge the same; and no testimony taken after such period shall be allowed to be read in evidence at the hearing.”
As is disclosed by the transcript of the record, the replication to the answer was filed on the 2nd day of May, 1904, hence the three months allowed for taking testimony under the rule just cited expired the 2nd day of August, 1904, and yet, so far as we are advised by the transcript, no testimony was taken by the appellant during that time,
The second error assigned is based upon the denial of the Chancellor at the final hearing of the motion of the appellant to dismiss the bill without prejudice.
The only authority cited by the appellant in support of this assignment is the case of Long v. Anderson, supra. We are of the opinion that the appellant has again been unfortunate in his selection of an authority. In that case the point presented to us for determination was as to the right of the complainant to dismiss his bill before the hearing by the mere filing of a praecipe for dismissal in the clerk’s office, no order of the court being obtained. It is unnecessary to repeat what we said there, as the opinion therein is of recent date.
The case of DaCosta v. Dibble, 40 Fla. 418, 24 South. Rep. 911, is in point and is adverse to the contention of. appellant. The instant case had been set down for a hear
The only remaining error to be considered is based upon the rendering of the final decree dismissing the bill. From what has already been said, a discussion of this assignment becomes unnecessary. The appellant failed to sustain the allegations in his bill, therefore the Chancellor rightfully found against him and ordered the bill dismissed. See Pierce v. Brunswick & Balk Co., 23 Fla., 283, 2 South. Rep. 366; Ropes v. Jenerson, 45 Fla. 556, 34 South. Rep. 955.