( 1 ) THE question referred to the Full Bench is what is the true construction of Section 9 (7) of the Madras Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Roytwari) Act (XXVI of 1948) (hereinafter called the Act ). The point has arisen with reference to Akkacheruvupadu Shrotriem of Nellore District. After the Act came into operation, the Settlement Officer started an inquiry as required by Section 9 as to whether it is an estate within the meaning of Section 2 (7) of the Act. As the original grant was not available, he determined the point on the basis of the Inam Fair Register. That document is marked as Exhibit C-l. It shows that Acres 224-3 cents of wet land and Acres 62-25 cents of poramboke lands in that village were granted to the ancestor of the third respondent. It also disclosed the existence of a minor inam which was devadayam measuring 24 cents granted for conducting festivals and performing service to the Goddess Ankamma Perantalu. From the recitals of that document, it is not possible to say the dates of either of the grants. So also the names of the grantor and grantee of that village do not appear in the Inam Fair Register. The main inam and the devadayam