Madras High Court
Michael vs Briggs And Anr. on 7 October, 1890
Equivalent citations: (1891)ILR 14MAD362
JUDGMENT
1. The question is whether an action to recover the price of goods supplied to the member of a club or on his responsibility can be brought in the name of the secretary of the club. The club is not a proprietary club such as was in question in Raggett v. Musgrave 2 C. & P., 556 and Raggett v Bishop 2 C. & P., 343, but a mere association of gentlemen for social purposes, managing its affairs by a committee and a secretary. The goods, the price of which it is sought to recover, belonged to the club, and not to the secretary; and therefore it is not to him that the price is due.
2. It may be convenient that the secretary should collect the moneys due to the club, and he may have authority to do so, but, if the money is not due on a contract made with him, an arrangement that he should sue cannot be recognized as giving him a right of action. [See Evans v. Hooper L.R., 1 Q.B.D., 45 and Gray v. Pearson L.R., 5 C.P., 568.]
3. We are of opinion that the question above stated must be answered in the negative.