These two petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution were heard together, as they raise common questions of law. They originally came on before one of us Jagadisan, J., who directed them to be posted before a Division Bench, having regard to the importance of the questions raised. The prayer in both the petitions is for the issue of a writ of mandamus or such other writ as this Court may think fit to the Board of Trustees of the Port Trust, Madras, calling upon them to forbear giving effect to a resolution passed by the Board on 29th May, 1959. The resolution runs thus:

"Resolved that the Trust take over export cargo other than ores, vegetable oils, molasses and any other cargo in bulk and do the handling on shore from a date to be fixed by the Chairman, Mr. A. R. Liddiard, and Saravashri A. M. Kothandarama Reddi, J. R. Nayak, C. K. Duraivelan and B. Ramalinga Reddi, dissented.

"Resolved also that Mr. A. R. Liddiard, Shri Jasjit Singh or his nominee and Shri U. S. As Gaffoor, Officiating Traffic Manager, re-examine item (ii) in paragraph 1 above and report early what modifications are required."

The petitioner in W.P. No. 1224 of 1959, is a clearing and sh