V. Ramasubramanian, J.

This appeal arises out of a preliminary decree for partition.

2. I have heard Mr. A. Rajkumar, learned counsel appearing for the appellants, Mr. T.V. Ramanujam, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the respondents 1, 6, 21 to 27, 29, 30 and 34, Ms. S. Hemalatha, learned counsel appearing for the second respondent and Mr. V. Anand, learned counsel appearing for the respondents 31 to 33 and 35 to 38.

3. The defendants 2, 3, 6 and 7 are the appellants herein. The first respondent herein filed a suit for partition and separate possession of her ?th share in the suit properties and for the grant of mesne profits at the rate of Rs. 500/- per month in relation to her share of income, apart from an award for future mesne profits at 6 kalams of paddy per annum for the wet lands and Rs. 10/- per annum for the dry lands.

4. The case of the first respondent/plaintiff was as follows :

(i) One Tandayuda Appasamy Pillai, who owned the suit properties, died leaving behind three sons namely (1) T. Krishnasamy Pillai (2) Cadirvelu Pillai (a) Cailassam Pillai and (3) Venugopal Pillai (a) Cojandavelu Pillai.

(ii) The eldest son T. Krishnasamy Pillai, who died in the year 192