PETTACHI CHETTY v. MOHAMADO YUSOOF.

PETTACHI CHETTY v. MOHAMADO YUSOOF.

D. C, Colombo, No. 82,535*

Principal and agent-Mercantile custom of Natukotta Chetties-Action by principals on bond granted to their agent-Meaning of " Pe. le. Venaitirtan Chetty."

It is the custom among the Natukotta Chetties of South India who carry on trade in Ceylon to describe themselves by the names of the individuals who constitute the firm, and to prefix to each name the initial letters of the firm. Their agents, when signing for their principals, usually sign their own names, prefixing to them the initial letters of the firm for which they act. If an agent signs on his own account, he signs his own name and prefixes to it the initial letters of his own patronymic.

One Nu. Vu. Muttiah Chetty, having been appointed the agent of Pe. Le. Pettachi Chetty, Pe. Le. Periannan Chetty, Pe. Le. Sinnaiya Chetty, and Pe. Le. Narayanan Chetty of South India, came to Colombo and carried on their business, signing himself " Pe. Le. Muttiah Chetty."

Defendant, having had monetary dealings with Pe. Le. Muttiah Chetty, was informed by him that he was going to India, and that his principals would send

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