1. Two judgments in O.S. Nos.78 and 79 of 1991 rendered by the learned First Additional Sub Judge, Pondicherry on 12. 1992 disposing of the suits on the question of jurisdiction after trial, have been canvassed with regard to their correctness, legality and propriety in these two appeals by and on behalf of the plaintiff.

2. The plaintiff in both cases is the appellant, which is a limited company having its Head Office at Mayiladuthurai in Thanjavur District with several branches in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The defendant in both the suits are subscribers to the respective chits referred to in the plaints and the bye-law relating to the suit chit was registered under the provisions of the Pondicherry Chit Funds Act. The first defendant in O.S. No.78 of 1991 appears to be the successful bidder in the auction held on 16. 1988 for the sum specified in the plaint and the defendants 2 and 3 stood as sureties for the repayment of future subscriptions regularly and the defendants executed a promissory note in favour of the plaintiff for a sum of Rs.2, 52, 390 agreeing to repay the same jointly and severally and security bond were also executed by other defendants. A