RAJAMANNAR, C. J. :- This is an appeal against the decree and judgment of the learned Subordinate Judge, Pudukottai, in O. S. No. 34 of 1953, which was instituted by Muthupalaniappa Chettiar. The contesting defendants were defendants 1 and 2. The 1st defendant, Alagamai Achi, is the daughter of the second defendant by one Vallaiammai Achi The third defendant is the authorised agent of the second defendant in charge of his affairs in Malacca (Malaya). The plaintiff was carrying on a money lending business in Malacca under the name and style of RM. M. PL.

The suit was for a declaration that the amount of 6267 dollars 83 cents invested with the plaintiffs firm of RM. M. PL. of Malacca in the name of Vallaiammai Achi, the wife of the second defendant, had been paid and discharged under the receipt, dated 28-08-1943, granted by one Muthupalaniappa Chettiar, the first defendants authorised agent, and the said discharge is binding on all the defendants, and for a decree, directing the second defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum of Rs. 47, 436-9-10 with subsequent interest thereon at 6 per cent per annum till the date of payment, or, in the alternative, should it be held that the 2