after stating the above. The fit and appropriate time for making the application for the removal of obnoxious and improper matter from a complaint, is and must be before answer or demurrer and before the granting of further time for either.
In New York, from which state our code system of procedure is derived, the practice is controlled by a rule, and in its construction and enforcement it is held, that motions to correct or to render pleadings more definite and certain are waived by the service of an answer to an impeached pleading, or by an extension of time to plead; or by any act legally admitting that a sufficient issue is raised. New York Practice; (Tiffany & Smith 430) Bowman v. Sheldon, 5 Sandf. (N. Y.) 657; Wall v. Buf. Wat. Works Co., 18 New York, 119.
Such also is the rule that prevails in equity. “For mere impertinence,”says a standard author, “a reference cannot be obtained after the defendant has answered, or submitted to answer by obtaining an order for time.” 1 Dan. Ch. Pr., 405.
After an answer, or even after an order for time to answer, the defendant cannot move to refer the bill for impertinence, though he may obtain a reference for scandal. 2 Mad. Ch. Pr. 276. See also Coop. Eq. Pl. 19; Story Eq. Pl., § 270. While we have no peremptory written rule, and the rule put in form *7is but the enunciation of a mode of judicial procedure under the new practice, found to be both convenient and useful, and a' party is not debarred from making the motion, because of his omission to make it in apt time, the application afterwards is addressed to the sound discretion of the judge exercised in view of all the attending facts and circumstances.
While he possesses the undoubted power to grant the motion, so he may in his discretion refuse it, and the refusal is notan error in law admitting of correction by appeal; nor does it “affect a substantial right” within the meaning of section 299 of the Code.
When the refusal to exercise a discretionary power vested in the judge proceeds from a supposed defect of power, and this plainly appears in the record, the error will be corrected to the end that the discretion may be exercised. Powell v. Jopling, 2 Jones, 400; Stephenson v. Stephenson, 4 Jones, 472; Henderson v. Graham, 84 N. C., 496.
But the grounds for the refusal must not be left to uncertain inference or conjecture, but the fact must be shown; or it will be assumed to be an act of discretion, the sufficiency of the reasons for which must be conclusively determined by the judge himself.
It is unnecessary, therefore, to enter upon an examination of the merits of the controversy as to the form of the complaint, as they might have been presented, had the application not been deferred, and we purposely refrain from doing so. Nor do we concur in that interpretation of the record which treats the assent of counsel to the hearing of the motion at the adjourned time, as a waiver of any ground of resistance to it, nor was it so understood and acted upon by counsel or by the judge.
The very objection was urged and pressed, when it came up to be considered and decided as it has been in argument here upon the appeal from the ruling below.
*8The want of notice was removed, but not the grounds of resistance to the motion, as well based upon the inopportune time of making it, arising out of the precedent action and delay, as upon the merits of the proposition itself. The opposition to it was not impaired by a consent that the motion should be heard, at the time, to which the hearing of the other for a further extension of .time and to fix it, was adjourned.
We are therefore of opinion that the refusal complained of is not the subject matter of appeal, and the appeal must be dismissed, and it is so adjudged.
Let this be certified to the superior court of Rowan.
Per Curiam. Appeal dismissed.