Lord Tomlin-

This is an appeal against a decree dated 18th November 1924, of the High Court of Judicature at Madras, modifying a decree dated 19th January 1922, and made by the Additional Subordinate Judge of Guntur on the trial of the suit.

The questions in the suit relate to the affairs of a joint Hindu family belonging to the Kamma sect of the Sudra caste and resident and holding lands in the Narasaraopet taluk of the Guntur District.

The family consisted of four brothers. The eldest brother had long before the material events separated himself from the family, and is, therefore, out of the case.

The second brother, Ramanna whose death led to the litigation, had an only son, Naganna, who predeceased him in April 1908, childless, but leaving a widow.

The third brother, Subbanna, the plaintiff in the suit and since deceased, had two sons, one of whom died in 1914, and the other of whom, named Virayya, is the present appellant.

The fourth brother, Adenna, had three sons, of whom the second was named Narasayya. Adenna and his three sons are the respondents on this appeal.

Ramanna died on 27th October 1908, leaving no natural son surviving him.

The present suit was launched on 17th August 19