1. This second appeal at the instance of the defendant in O.S. 366 of 1977, District Munsif Court, Thanjavur, has been entertained on the following question of, Law -

"Whether the jural relationship of landlord and tenant covered by the lease deed dated 9-7-1936 had lapsed on 29-7-1961, is not the suit instituted in 1977 barred by limitation by virtue of Art. 67 of the Limitation Act 1963?"

2. The suit in O.S. 366 of 1977 was instituted by the respondents herein for a declaration of their title to the suit property and for recovery of possession and a sum of Rs. 300 by way of damages for use and occupation from the appellant. The suit property is a house situate in S. No. 19 in Melaveli Reddipalayarn village, Tharijavur taluk. According to the case of the respondents, the suit property originally belonged to Ramalinga Reddiar, deceased husband of the first respondent ancestrally and he had been in possession and enjoyment of the suit property till his death on 30-111975, and, thereafter, the respondents succeeded to the property as full owners. The appellant, according to the respondent, was a tenant under the deceased Ramalinga Reddiar and thereafter under the respondents, h