Branch v. Saunders, 195 N.C. 176 (1928)

Feb. 22, 1928 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

195 N.C. 176

ELIZA B. BRANCH et al. v. J. M. SAUNDERS and M. S. COX, Copartners, Trading as Saunders & Cox.

(Filed 22 February, 1928.)

Drainage Districts — Assessments—When They Become Lien on Land.

Liens on lands within a statutory drainage district for assessment charges for its maintenance and upkeep do not fall within a warranty or covenant against encumbrances contained in a deed until they are due and payable, within' the intent and meaning of the statutes regulating the subject.

Civil actioN before Moore, Special Judge, at November Term, 1927, of Beaufort.

This is a controversy without action submitted upon an agreed statement of facts.

Little Swift Greek Drainage District was duly formed according to law. At the time of the formation of said district the plaintiffs were the owners of the land in controversy] and are now the owners thereof. The plaintiffs’ lands contained 1,495 acres. Nine hundred and twenty acres of said land are situate within the boundaries of said drainage district and five hundred and seventy-five acres of said land are not so situate, but the entire tract of 1,495 acres constitutes one body of land. Tbe district has duly issued and sold drainage bonds and the defendants have agreed to purchase “all the timber and trees of all kinds and size whatsoever, now standing, growing or lying on the land . . . for the sum of eight thousand dollars; that under said contract the defendants may enter upon said land and cut and remove said timber at any time prior to 1 March, 1929, but said contract contains a provision that the defendants may extend the time for cutting and removing said timber and trees for twelve months from 1 March, 1929, by paying to the plaintiffs, on or before that date, the sum of $950. That it is provided in said contract that the timber and trees growing on said land are to be conveyed free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances, and especially free and clear of any lien in favor of Little Swift Creek Drainage District for taxes or drainage assessments hereafter to become due and payable.”

It further appears from the agreed case that drainage assessments upon the land in said district are payable in twenty-four] annual installments, and that all installments have been paid by the plaintiff up to and including 1 September, 1926. That plaintiffs have offered to pay the assessments due 1 September, 1927, but have declined to pay the assessments due 1 September, 1928, and all other assessments maturing subsequent to said date.

The defendants declined to accept the deed for said timber and pay the purchase money upon the ground that the unmatured installments constitute a lien upon the timber. Plaintiffs contend to the contrary.

The statement of facts discloses the following agreement between the parties: “If the assessments coming due 1 September, 1928, and annually thereafter until 1 September, 1946, are a lien on the timber and trees situate both within and without or on timber within the drainage district, then the deed tendered by plaintiffs is insufficient to comply with the terms and provisions of the contract between plaintiffs and defendants. But if- the assessments in favor of Little Swift Greek Drainage District, becoming due and payable 1 September, 1928, and annually thereafter, are not1 liens on said timber, then tbe deed complies with tbe contract between plaintiffs and defendants, and plaintiffs are entitled to a decree directing tbe defendants to comply with tbe terms and provisions of tbe contract.”

Upon the facts and agreement, as presented, the trial judge held that the deed tendered was in compliance with the contract and ordered the defendants to accept the deed and pay the purchase money to the plaintiffs.

From tbe judgment so rendered tbel defendants appealed.

Small, McLean & Rodman for plaintiffs.

Ward & Grimes for defendants.

Ekogdbn, J.

Drainage assessments unmatured or not due are not liens or encumbrances within the meaning of the law. They are “charges” attaching to the land, as they fall due from time to time and follow the land until all have been liquidated. Thus in Taylor v. Commissioners, 176 N. C., 217, this Court held: “The drainage tax becomes a lien, just as the benefits accrue, i. e., annually. . . . It is a lien in rem, accruing annually and resting upon the land into whosoever bands it may be at that time.” So, also, in Pate v. Banks, 178 N. C., p. 141, the Court said: “The lien of the charges for drainage is not a debt of the owner of the land therein, but is a charge solely upon the land and accrues, patri passu with the benefits as they shall accrue thereafter. They are not liens until they successively fall due, and are presumed to be paid out of the increased productiveness and other benefits as they accrue from time to time. These assessments are to be levied from time to time to pay, not the indebtedness of the owner of any tract, but to pay the bonded' indebtedness of the district. In that they are exactly like bonds issued by the township, county, or State for public benefits and which become liens on property in future only to the extent of the taxes falling due each year to pay the interest and such part of the principal as may become due. One who purchases land in. a township, county or State cannot complain that these successive tax liens will from time to time be collectible out of bis realty. Whether be knew of the existence of such indebtedness or not makes no difference. They are not encumbrances within the sense of the warranty clause of a deed.”

The language above quoted was approved in Comrs. v. Sparks, 179 N. C., 581, and in Foil v. Drainage Comrs., 192 N. C., 652.

The defendants rely upon C. S., 5371. The decisions in Pate v. Banks and Foil v. Drainage Comrs., supra, were rendered after the enactment of C. S., 5371. The decisions and the statute are not necessarily in conflict as contended for by the defendants. C. S., 5371, provides in substance that a purchaser for value without notice under a deed of general warranty, who pays to the sheriff “the amount of said drainage assessment, which is a lien on the land purchased,” shall have a right of action against the warrantor of bis title.

Tbe agreed statement of facts in tbe case at bar does not disclose tbat tbe defendants are innocent purchasers for value or tbat they have paid any assessment upon tbe land purchased. An assessment matured and due, under tbe decisions, would constitute “a lien on tbe land purchased,” but, as we view it, this statute does not refer to future assessments not due at tbe time tbe land was purchased.

We are therefore of tbe opinion tbat under tbe agreement of tbe parties as presented in tbe record tbat installments maturing and payable 1 September, 1928, and thereafter, do not now constitute a lien or encumbrance upon tbe timber, and tbe judgment of tbe trial court is-

Affirmed.