PRABHA SRIDEVAN, J. :- The defendant is the appellant. The plaint averments are as follows :-

The defendant was appointed as the Procurement-cum-Hulling Agent for the plaintiff Corporation for 1984 Kuruvai' Season. The appointment order is dated 27-7-1984. The defendant deposited a sum of Rs. 10,000/- as security deposit on 25-7-1984. An agreement was entered into between the parties on 26-7-1984. To ensure safe custody of the paddy entrusted with the defendant, an Officer of the plaintiff Corporation was appointed as the Double Lock Officer for the defendant's godown, in which the paddy was stored. As per the terms of the agreement, the defendant will receive the paddy and store the same in his godown, and it was kept under double lock system from 14-11-1984 to 16-3-1985. A total quantity of 6157 bags of paddy weighing 410.463 M.Ts. was stored under the double lock system. Out of the said 6157 bags of paddy, 415 bags were of Super Fine Quality, 2070 bags were of Fine Quality and the balance 3672 bags were Coarse variety. The parties had agreed that the defendant would hull the paddy and deliver the resultant rice at the rate of out-turn for conversion fixed by the plaintif