Star Drilling MacHine Co. v. Henry Cowell Lime & Cement Co.

TYLER, P. J.

Action to recover the sum of $636.80 for a certain machine used in the boring of wells.

Defendant corporation was engaged in drilling for water on premises owned by it in Contra Costa County. As the well went down it became necessary to purchase what is known as an under-reamer, which is a machine or bit inserted in the well for the purpose of reaming out the sides of the hole underneath the pipe so as to permit of its insertion. The managing agent of defendant company, A. N. George, dispatched a letter to plaintiff corporation asking for prices and information concerning a tool of this character. Upon receipt of the request one Gilchrist, the sales agent of plaintiff, visited the defendant company and discussed the matter with its agent. It developed during such discussion that defendant company was using 12-inch stovepipe casing in the well that was being drilled. Gilchrist informed George that in his opinion an under-reamer could not be used in that character of casing. The parties ascertained this to be so, and the matter of ordering the machine was deferred until it could be determined what kind of pipe was available. Mr. Gilchrist was instructed to obtain this information and to report back to defendant Cowell Company so that the proper machine could then be ordered. The character of the machine depended upon the weight and size of the pipe under which it was to operate. Thereafter Mr. Gilchrist advised the Cowell Company that it might purchase 9⅝-inch screw pipe, and this character and size was agreed upon and the necessary amount was purchased. The Cowell Company then gave its order for an under-reamer to run in the pipe so purchased. In coming to this decision the parties had consulted a catalogue and selected what is known as the Double under-reamer, the weight of which was 625 pounds.

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This order was forwarded to plaintiff company. A few days later Gilchrist received a wire informing him that his people did not have a machine- of that make and that it would take some three weeks to acquire one. He was further informed that it had a Grant under-reamer which was as good, if not better, than the one ordered. Gilchrist communicated these facts to George and read the telegram to him. Upon being assured that there was no difference in tll'e machines, George agreed to the substitution. Upon the arrival of the machine the Cowell Company refused to accept delivery upon the ground that it weighed 992 pounds, which did not conform to the weight of the one originally ordered. The machine was thereupon returned to -plaintiff qompany at Long Beach, California, the point from which it was shipped, and this action was brought to recover the purchase price.