Holbrook

These cases were consolidated for the purpose of appeal because they presented similar questions and involved the same parties, save that the appellant, who was plaintiff in each of them, appeared in each case as the receiver of a different corporation. .These corporations, Blue Ridge Oil Company, Ltd., George Wolfe and Chanel Oil Company, Ltd., and Del Oro Oil Company, had been producing crude petroleum from properties owned or leased by them. Each corporation was defendant in an equity receivership in the District Court. Operations were continued by the receivers in each case. Upon his appointment as receiver to succeed other receivers previously appointed Holbrook, in each instance, continued this production. In that capacity he entered into contracts with the appellee, the Petrol Corporation, which was engaged in the business of buying and refining crude petroleum. These contracts were all approved by the court. They provided for the sale by the receiver to the Petrol Corporation of all the crude oil to be produced from the various wells and properties of the companies represented by him.

In each of the three cases the appellant sought to recover a balance alleged to be due…