Santa Cruz Rock Pavement Co. v. Bowie

Harkison J. Assuming that, in an action to foreclose the lien of a street assessment, it is competent for the defendant to show that the work contracted for has not been done, or that the specifications for the work have been manifestly disregarded (McVerry v. Kidwell, 63 Cal. 246), such a defense must not only he alleged in the answer, hut must also be supported by evidence at the trial. If the court refuses to hear any evidence in support thereof, or disregards it in its decision, exception should he taken to its rulings, in order to have the same considered upon a motion for a new trial. Upon the hearing of such motion any errors in law occurring at the trial must be presented in a hill of exceptions or statement of the case (Code Civ. Proc., sec. 658), and cannot be considered if presented merely in ex parte affidavits containing the evidence which was presented at the trial and the rulings thereon.

After the trial in the present action the defendants gave notice of their intention to move for a new trial upon the ground of surprise and errors in law occurring at the trial, stating that the motion as to the surprise would he made upon affidavits. In their notice of intention they also specified certain particulars in which they claimed that the court erred at the trial. Subsequently affidavits were filed on their behalf, setting forth matters which would have constituted evidence in support of their defense of nonperformance of the contract according to its terms, but which, if admissible at all, should have been offered at the trial. There is no statement or bill of exceptions in the record, and it does not appear whether this evidence was offered at the trial, unless it is to be inferred from a statement in the affidavit of the defendant, Bowie, that he was not prepared at the trial to present the matters embodied in his affidavit, for the reason that he was surprised at a ruling of the court contrary to what his attorneys had previously advised him. Erroneous views of the law, or advice of an attorney contrary to the ruling of the court, is not, however, the “ surprise” for which a [288]new trial will be granted. (Klockenbaum v. Pierson, 22 Cal. 160.)

The court did not err in refusing the demand for a jury trial. The action is in equity for the foreclosure of the lien of an assessment, and is not upon any contract made- by the defendant (Emery v. Bradford, 29 Cal. 75), or upon which there is any personal liability against the defendant. (Taylor v. Palmer, 31 Cal. 241.) In such an action neither the constitution nor the statute requires the submission of the issues to a jury. (Code Civ. Proc., sec. 592; Cassidy v. Sullivan, 64 Cal. 266.)