Grunsky v. Parlin

Britt, C. Hull was a dealer in stationery and musical instruments. His voluntary petition in insolvency was filed June 16, 1893, and in due course plaintiff was chosen his assignee. At sundry times within three days next before said June 16th, Hull sold to defendant certain pianos and organs, and notes and other contracts previously taken by him in the course of business with his customers; the amount of the sales to defendant was thirteen hundred and eighty-five dollars, of which six hundred and fifty-six dollars was paid in cash, and by agreement the sum of seven hundred and twenty-nine dollars was to be subsequently paid in installments. Plaintiff brought this action to set aside such sales, alleging that the same were made to prevent the coming cf the property to the possession of the assignee, and its ratable distribution among Hull’s creditors, and to defeat the objects of the Insolvent Act of 1880. The trial was by the court, which found that the defendant made his purchases in good faith, without the intent charged and for sufficient consideration; defendant had judgment accordingly. Appellant urges that the findings are unsupported by the evidence.

The transfers in question were not made in the ordinary course of the business of Hull, and hence were prima facie fraudulent (Insolvent Act, sec. 55); there was also evidence of other circumstances tending to cast suspicion on them. But on behalf of defendant there was evidence which tended to show that he had no information of Hull’s insolvent condition; that the prices paid and agreed to be paid were the full and fair value of the property he purchased; that he has offered to make to the assignee the payments deferred under his arrangements with Hull; and that his conduct, [182]speaking generally, was not inspired by any fraudulent motive. The presumption of fraud was subject to rebuttal (Bernheim v. Christal, 76 Cal. 567); and, though the evidence in some parts wás sharply conflicting, yet there was sufficient, if believed, to rebut such presumption; what credence should be allowed to it was a matter for the trial court to determine.. These remarks apply as well to the choses in action assigned -to defendant as-to the pianos and organs, though appellant argues that the facts were so different regarding the former that as to them, at least, he should have had judgment.

It is also contended that in failing to find whether Hull entertained the fraudulent intent alleged in the complaint the court omitted to dispose of a material issue. But, since the findings exonerated the vendee of the charge of fraud, the intent of the vendor ceased to be of any consequence in the case; a transaction of this nature cannot be vacated because of the fraud of the seller in which the purchaser had no part, and of which he had no notice. (Merchants’ Nat. Bank v. Northrup, 22 N. J. Eq. 58.)