Boyce

This is an action for damages for personal injuries, brought by plaintiff and respondent against defendant San Diego High School District and the members of its board of education. Plaintiff was a member of a partnership in the business of installing electrical appli anees. Harry Bertolucci was the electrical superintendent for defendant district. The Russ auditorium was erected by the district in 1925 for school activities. Some three years after its construction, the heating and ventilating system got out of order, and on October 22, 1928, Bertolucci requested plaintiff to look over the motor. On that day plaintiff, Bertolucci and Herbert Cordes, the manager of an electrical equipment concern, went to the auditorium to make an inspection. They found that the heating apparatus was in good condition, and decided to examine the air ducts. The main air corridor extended nearly across the building. In its center was a concrete-lined pit, over eight feet long, five and one-half feet deep, and as wide as the corridor itself. There were two electric lights in the corridor, a considerable distance from the pit. Bertolucci led the other two men to the corridor, opened the door leading to…