V. Balakrishna Eradi, J.

1. In the St. Thomas High School managed by the 3rd respondent a short term leave vacancy of High School Assistant (Hindi) arose during the year 1970-71 and the petitioner who was a qualified teacher unemployed at that time, was appointed by the manager to act in that vacancy. Pursuant to the said appointment she worked in the school during the period beginning from 3rd August 1970 and ending with 21st September 1970 on which date she was relieved from service. The permanent incumbent of the post of High School Assistant (Hindi) in the said school was one P. M. Sankaran Nair and he retired from the service with the close of the academic year 1970-71. The vacancy was filled up by the manager by appointing the petitioner in that post with effect from 1st June 1971. The District Educational Officer, Chavakkad, approved the said appoint­ment as per an order passed by him on 17th June 1971, overruling certain objections raised by the 4th respondent herein who had been working as Lower Grade Hindi Teacher the institution for a period of about eight years and was qualified for promotion to the higher grade. The 4th respondent carried the matter in appeal b