( 1 ) THESE two Civil Miscellaneous Appeals and Cross-objections in civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 187 of 1977 arise out of a common order passed by the District Judge and Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Visakapatnam dated 17-1-1977 allowing the petition filed by the respondents herein awarding a sum of Rs. 20,000-in all towards compensation under Section 100-A of the Motor Vehicles Act. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 187 of 1977 is Sled by the owner of the vehicle which caused the death of the deceased and Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 179 of 1978 is filed by the claimants of the deceased. The Cross-objections in Civil Miscellaneous appeal No. 187 of 1977 are also filed by the claimants of the deceased.

( 2 ) A lorry bearing Registration No. A. P. S. 2521 belongs to the appellant one Suryanarayana. The said lorry was insured with the 7th respondent, the Oriental Fire and General Insurance Company Limited, madras. One late Dorabbai, who was carrying on Timber business went to jayapore in Orissa State to purchase timber. The timber that was purchased was loaded into lorry A. P. S. 2521 for being transported to Peddapuram in east Godavari District. The driver of the