114 N.Y.S. 115 | N.Y. App. Term. | 1909
The proceedings herein were made returnable in the court below on the 7th day of July, 1908, and a final order was made herein on default of the tenant. On the 8th day of July, 1908, an order to show cause was granted herein, returnable on the 14th day of July, 1908, why an order should not be made vacating and setting aside the final order aforesaid, upon the ground that the court had no jurisdiction, and, in case of the denial of the said relief, why an order should not be made vacating the said final order, in order to permit the tenant to come in and defend the proceeding on the merits. The motion was denied, with five dollars costs, and an order was entered thereon. An appeal was taken from said order, and on the 14th day of October, 1908, an amended order denying said motion was entered, and the appeal from the original order was withdrawn by consent, and this appeal is taken from said amended order. The tenant claims that the court did not acquire jurisdiction of the proceedings by reason of defects in the petition. The petition recites as follows: “ The petition of George S. Underhill, of the said City, respectfully shows: That he is the sole surviving executor and trustee under the last will and testament - of Ann L'. Underhill, deceased, and the landlord in respect to the premises hereinafter described, succeeding as such executor, trustee and landlord, William H. Underhill, deceased, and that said William H. Underhill, as such executor, trustee and landlord of the premises hereinafter mentioned, on or about the 21st day of March, A, D. 1906, entered into an agreement in writing with Max Cohen,” etc. A proper description of the petitioner’s interest is an essential part of the petition in order to confer jurisdiction (Code Civ. Pro., § 2235; Cram v. Dietrich, 38 Misc. Rep. 790; Engel-Heller & Co. v. Henry Elias Brg. Co., 37 id. 480; Ferber v. Apfel, 113 App. Div. 720); and an objection to the jurisdiction of the subject-matter may be raised at any time, and even for the
We think, however, that the motion to open defendant’s default and permit him to defend on the merits should have been granted on terms.
As to this motion the final order is reversed, and the default opened, on payment by defendant to petitioner of all costs to date.
Present: Gildersleeve, Bischoff and Guy, JJ.
Order reversed.