On the 29th of March 1941 the clerk of this court made her ruling on said objections, sustaining the contention of respondent and reducing the amount of said cost bill in the sum of $57.05. From said ruling of the clerk, the appellant appealed to this court.
A reading of the item in the cost bill leaves the conclusion that appellant had charged 15 cents per folio for a certified transcript of the proceedings, which constitutes the bill of exceptions in this case, and under the provisions of section 8460 N.C.L., but 10 cents is allowed for such transcription. However, appellant explains this charge by saying that it was intended to cover an original and one copy of the transcript.
1. In construing rule VI we start with the proposition that statutes relating to costs are to be strictly construed. 20 C.J.S., Costs, p. 263, sec. 3; 14 Am. Juris., p. 8, par. 8.
2. From a reading of the following provision of rule VI, viz: "when a certified transcript of the proceedings shall be included in or shall constitute the bill of exceptions, the reporter's statutory fees for transcription shall determine the expense of such transcript," we conclude that the word "transcript" as used therein *Page 431 refers to the original, no mention being made of a copy. Further, the reference is to the certified transcript which constitutes the bill of exceptions filed in the clerk's office, and not to a copy which is required to be served on the opposite party. Strict construction will not permit a reading into rule VI of a provision for allowance to a reporter of fees for copies made and furnished, even though payment may be required of the party securing them. Appellant has furnished us with citations from other states where fees for copies have been allowed as costs, but an inspection of the statutes and rules of those states discloses that provision is made for payment therefor.
3. The exception contained in rule VI, quoted supra, is for the purpose of allowing the actual charge made by the reporter for a transcript as provided by law, rather than the arbitrary figure of 15 cents per folio as set forth in the body of the rule, and the charge for a single copy only, which the rule theretofore provided for, remains unchanged and is the evident intent thereof.
The ruling of the clerk is affirmed. *Page 432