Hill v. Shultz

40 N.J. Eq. 164
CourtNew Jersey Court of Chancery
DecidedMay 15, 1885
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 40 N.J. Eq. 164 (Hill v. Shultz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Jersey Court of Chancery primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hill v. Shultz, 40 N.J. Eq. 164 (N.J. Ct. App. 1885).

Opinion

Bird, V. C.

The complainant was the owner of a lot with a building thereon, on the corner of Broad and Court streets, Newark. She was remodeling the building, making one large store and one small one on the first floor facing Broad street. There were rooms in the rear of these stores, and also in the second and third stories, over the stores, for families to dwell in. There was a cellar under the larger store, which was partitioned by a brick wall, in which was a doorway leading from one to the other. The one farthest from Broad street was accessible from Court street, and is known as "the small cellar.”

Whilst these changes and repairs were in progress, the defendant applied to the complainant to rent the larger store. They entered into an agreement, and a lease was executed and delivered. After the store was completed the defendant entered into the possession of it. He had not been long in possession before the complainant, by her workmen, commenced removing > some old boards from a platform • in front of one of the show windows in the larger store, which platform formed a covering to a flight of stone steps leading to the said cellar. The object in removing this platform was to open, the said cellar for use, aud to obtain access thereto by the steps there located. "Whilst the complainant’s workmen were so engaged the defendant interposed, forbidding them do proceed, and offering resistance. This act on the part of the defendant moved the complainant to file [166]*166this bill, and to ask the court to restrain the defendant from further interference.

There is no question as to the right of the complainant to occupy and use the front cellar, but the defendant insists that the complainant cannot gain access thereto by means of the said steps under one of his front windows, because he claims it is his. right to maintain that platform there so that passers-by may approach the show window and examine his goods.

Hid that platform pass to the defendant under the lease which he accepted, either by express words or by necessary implication,, is the point to be determined. The premises demised are described in the lease in these words :

“The store on the corner of Court and Broad streets, and known as No. 949-Broad street, together with the cellar under the rear half of the stove, as at present partitioned off from the front cellar by a brick wall, subject to the use of the closet and a place for coal for the occupant of the smaller store adjoining said demised store on the north, with the appurtenances.”

Plainly, the use of the platform in question was not expressly included. It is not named, nor in any sense alluded to so as to. be distinguished. Nothing whatever is named but the store and rear cellar.

Hid the platform pass to the defendant with the store, by necessary implication ? Rights or interests do pass to lessees by implication. 3 Washb. Real. Prop. 637; Taylor on Land, and Tenant § 161; Ogden v. Jennings, 62 N. Y. 526; Doyle v. Lord, 64 N. Y. 432; Voorhees v. Burchard, 55 N. Y. 98; French v. Carhart, 1 N. Y. 96.

But where the express words of the grant are not sufficient, the implication which supplies those words flows either from a reasonable necessity, or, considering all the circumstances, from the manifest intention of the parties. To this extent, I think the foregoing authorities are harmonious. First, then, is the use of this platform necessary to the reasonable enjoyment of the store f The store was to be used for a “ decoration and painting store ” and for no other purpose.”

Since the parties did not adjudge it important enough to con[167]*167tract respecting the use of this platform in plain terms, is the necessity so strong as to make the demands of the defendant appear reasonable ? Tlie fact that the defendant has the benefit of two windows in front, one on each side of the entrance, is deemed important, because customers can, if they desire, approach near to one, in case the platform is removed from under the other. This insistment on the part of the complainant, contains an admission which strengthens the claim of the defendant, on the point of necessity, which is that the very existence of these large show windows, is proof of the necessity. It may well be asked, Why were they constructed if the exigencies of the trade did not require them? There is force in this, but I am not satisfied that it should control. The windows are “ show windows.” The wares manufactured by the tenant are to be exhibited there, are to be placed there for show, to invite or attract customers. This can be done with or without the platform in front. It is true, goods cannot be so carefully examined at the distance of five or six feet as when within. reach, but an examination through a plate glass must be very unsatisfactory at least. And I think it may fairly be presumed, from the testimony of Mr. Shultz, that the exhibitions in show windows are intended to induce passers to enter the store to examine. I think it may also be presumed that sales are never made through show windows; buyers do not part with their money without a closer examination than is possible at such a disadvantage. In my judgment there is no reasonable necessity existing in behalf of the defendant.

Since the instrument is silent on the subject, and no reasonable necessity is discovered, was it, nevertheless, the intention of the contracting parties that the platform should remain ? The cases referred to, as well as many others, show that the circumstances, actions and conversations of the parties, at the time, may all be taken into account in determining what obligation the one is under to the other. Immediately prior to the execution of the lease, the parties thereto and the attorney of the complainant were on the premises, examining them with a view to the contract. They went into the rear cellar and made such observations as they could, considering the light, of the [168]*168condition of the front cellar. The defendant says that he stood in the doorway between the two' cellars, and' looked in, while the complainant arid Mr. Harris, _ her attorney, went into the front cellar and walked around. From his statement, I think the complainant and Mr. Harris were in the front cellar several minutes. In the front of this cellar, and next to Broad street arid under the platform above referred to, was a large area, the 'length and width of the platform, through which area the said stone Steps led from the street to the cellar. As stated, this platform was raised above the sidewalk about five inches. On the side over the steps it was covered with boards, and on the other side with iron bars, between which were boards. On the side over the steps, the space between the platform and'sidewalk ánd under the outside edge of the platform, was filled with a board standing upright and supporting the platform, and on the other side only narrow iron' bars, from one to two inches apart, were used to support the platform, the spaces between these bars being open and admitting the light into the área and cellar; The entire space at the end of the platform next to Court street was open, there being no supports there. At the approach to the steps leading to this cellar, was a large stone, on a level with the sidewalk and about six inches from the platform. This stone has the ordinary appearance of the head or beginning of a ‘flight of steps. Between this stone and the base of the platform was a board about the width of an ordinary step.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
40 N.J. Eq. 164, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hill-v-shultz-njch-1885.