Schlief v. Clark

| Haw. | Feb 21, 1902

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

PREAR, C.J.

The only point presented on this appeal by the defendants from a final decree in partition proceedings is in regard to the .amount of the fees allowed to the commissioner and auctioneer.

The property was sold, in six parcels at auction, and the proceeds ordered divided because a partition could not be made 'without prejudice to the rights of the parties. The purchaser of «one parcel was excused and the auctioneer authorized to sell that parcel at private sale at the same price. He did so, but that ■sale also was set aside, and the parcel was again sold at auction, this time at a higher price. The sales amounted to $29,205 in the aggregate, not including the two sales of one lot at $3,000 ■each, which were set aside.

The Judge allowed the commissioner $300, the auctioneer '$1148, counsel $250, each of the two guardians $150, besides ■costs of advertising, costs of court, etc.

It is contended first that as the Judge appointed the oommis■sionei to make the sale and the commissioner employed the ■auctioneer, the latter’s fees should be paid by the commissioner ■out of his fee, and not come out of the fund. The Judge confirmed the action of the commissioner in engaging the services ■of tlie auctioneer if he did not previously authorize it, and he •did in fact directly authorize the auctioneer to conduct at least ■one sale, the private one that was set aside. Moreover in the ■final order he merely authorized the commissioner to pay the auctioneer’s fee. After all, it is immaterial whether the Judge ■allowed the fee directly to the auctioneer or combined the two fees in the commissioner’s fee, leaving the latter to settle with the auctioneer. The question of importance is that of the •amount.

It is contended by the appellees that the amount is not appeal-able as that is a matter within the discretion of the trial Judge. It is true that much allowance must be made for the discretion ■of the Judge. Fees in matters of this kind often depend largely as to their amount on oral statements of counsel and on the knowledge that the Judge has of the whole course of the proceedings. Still when the amount is clearly excessive, this court may alter it on appeal. Estate of Alina, 13 Haw. 389. In our opinion the amount was clearly excessive in this instance. The commissioner’s fee may be sustained as within sound discretion, 'but that of the auctioneer should in our opinion not exceed $450.00. ¥e cannot approve the practice of allowing extravagant fees out of the estates of others.

Andrews, Peters & Andrade for plaintiffs. Rmsell & Watson for defendants. J. A. Magoon and T. I. Dillon for the Commissioner. Robertson & Wilder for the Auctioneer.

So much of the decree as allows a fee of $1148.20 to be paid to the auctioneer is set aside and the case is remanded to' the Circuit Judge for further proceedings in conformity with the foregoing views.