The Judgment was delivered by :

The unsuccessful defendants in O.S. 4 of 1986 on the file of Sub-Court, Mayiladuthurai are the appellants in the above appeal. The respondent/plaintiff filed the said suit for recovery of a sum of Rs. 41,554/- with future interest. The learned Subordinate Judge, after considering the oral and documentary evidence, passed a decree on 14-3-1987 for Rs. 34,354/- with proportionate cost in favour of the plaintiff. Aggrieved by the Judgment and decree of the trial Court, the defendants have filed the above appeal.

3. The facts which are required for the disposal of the appeal are briefly stated hereunder:

According to the plaintiff, he was running Eversilver Fancy Circulation business for the past 15 years at Mayiladuthurai. In the course of his business, he used to send VP letters and VP Insured parcels for value from Mayiladuthurai to his customers at different places in India according to the rules and regulations under the Indian Post Office Act through the Head Post Office at Mayiladuthurai. The plaintiff had sent VP letters for value and VP insured parcels for value with due reference to the amounts to be received by him on delivery of the