Shannon

This is a suit for dissolution of a joint venture. The trial court determined that a dissolution would be inequitable, and therefore denied any relief. Plaintiff has appealed.

Plaintiff and defendants, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, were friends. In 1952 the parties entered upon a joint venture. The purpose of this venture was to acquire certain land in Morro Bay, California, and to construct thereon a motel. The parties planned to equip and furnish the motel, operate it for a time, and then sell it. They discussed the future widening of the road in front of the property in question as well as the construction of a Pacific Gas and Electric Company plant in the vicinity. Mr. Hudson, who was a certified architect, was to supervise the construction of the motel and the Hudsons were to operate it. Plaintiff was to supply the major portion of the money.

The parties entered into an agreement in August, 1952, and the real property was acquired in September. Mr. Hudson designed the motel and supervised its construction, receiving no fee therefor. The total cost of the motel, including land, building, furnishings and equipment, was around $53,000. The amounts invested to date by the various…