Hall v. Landen, 224 N.C. 233 (1944)

April 12, 1944 · Supreme Court of North Carolina
224 N.C. 233

FANNIE C. HALL, ETHEL SLOAN TURNER, ROBBIE L. ZIBELIN, LINA W. POTTER (BETTIE WILLIAMS WARD, Executrix of GEORGE R. WARD, Deceased), v. J. F. LANDEN and Wife, EMILY S. LANDEN (G. F. LANDEN, Administrator and Individually, and MYRTLE LANDEN; EMILY C. HUNT and Husband, GLENN HUNT).

(Filed 12 April, 1944.)

Appeal and Error § 37b—

The exercise of a discretionary power by the trial court, in the absence of allegation or suggestion of abuse, is not reviewable on appeal.

Appeal by plaintiffs from Stevens, J., at December Term, 1943, of DupliN.

Appeal dismissed.

Oscar B. Turner for plaintiffs.

Gavin ■<& Gavin and R. D. Johnson for defendants.

Pee Otjeiam.

Plaintiffs declared on certain notes, one of them secured by mortgage on land, executed by J. F. Landen and bis wife, Emily S. Landen. Upon tbe death of J. F..Landen pending tbe action bis administrator, G. F. Landen, and bis heirs, were made parties defendant. Liability on tbe notes was denied. When tbe cause came on for trial, at tbe close of plaintiffs’ evidence, nonsuit was ordered as to all defendants *234except G. F. Landen, administrator. In response to issues submitted tbe jury found, (1) that plaintiffs were owners and holders of two of the notes, (2) that no credits had been made thereon by J. E. Landen, .and-(3) that plaintiffs were not entitled to recover of G. E. Landen, administrator, on said notes. Plaintiffs moved to set aside the verdict on the third issue and for judgment on the other issues, or for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. After hearing argument, the court, in its discretion, set aside the verdict and the order of nonsuit, and ordered a new trial on the entire case.

Under the circumstances, we think the exercise by the judge below of his discretion to set aside the verdict and the order previously entered during the trial may not be successfully challenged. The exercise of a discretionary power in the absence of allegation or suggestion of abuse is not reviewable on appeal. Bird v. Bradburn, 131 N. C., 488, 42 S. E., 936; Brantley v. Collie, 205 N. C., 229, 171 S. E., 88; Jones v. Ins. Co., 210 N. C., 559, 187 S. E., 769.

Appeal dismissed.