JAGADISAN, J. :- The Madras Port Trust is the appellant in this appeal. They were sued by the two plaintiffs in C. S. No. 618 of 1956, on the file of the City Civil Court, Madras for recovery of a sum of Rs. 6807-14-0, as damages caused to a consignment of goods by reason of their alleged negligence The learned City Civil Court Judge granted a decree in favour of the plaintiffs for recovery of a sum of Rs. 4200-60 nP. holding that the plaintiffs were entitled to claim damages only in respect of 145 bundles, out of a total consignment of 235 bundles of salted hides and skins. The plaintiffs have preferred a memorandum of cross objections praying for a decree for the full amount claimed in the plaint.

2. The first plaintiff is a registered term of partnership carrying on business at Madras They obtained a shipment of 235 bundles of wet salted hides and skins from Calcutta per S. S. "Indian Merchant". The consignment was covered by a bill of lading No. 100 dated 21-07-1955, and was insured with the second plaintiff, which is the Asiatic Government Security Life and General Assurance Co, Ltd. incorporated under the Indian Companies Act. The goods were landed at the Madras Port