( 1 ) THESE appeals raise a question pertaining to the Madras Estates (Abolition and Conversion into the apportionment of compensation deposited under Ryotwari) Act, 1948. The compensation was deposted in respect of the Venkatagiri Estate which was taken over by thegovernment after notification on 7-9-40. The estate of Venkatagiri has been in existence since Muhammadan times. On the dispution of the Moghul Empire, it owned allegiance to the Nawab of Arcot. In addition to the payment of peishkush they had tomaintain an armed force for the assistance of Government in times of disorder or rebillion. As a result of the treaty between the East India Company on the one side and the Nawab of Arcot on theother, the administration of that part of the country under the suzeraintyof the latter was made over to the British. Under this treaty, the Zamindari of Venkatagiri was recognised and the Rajah had to pay to the East India Company what he was paying before to the Muhammadan rulers. Some time later, in accordance with the arrangement entered into between the zamindars in Western Arcot and Lord Clive, the East India Companytook over the responsibility for the preservation