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Fiji Islands - FLR Volume 14 - Digest & Index

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Fiji Islands - FLR Volume 14 - Digest & Index

THE FIJI LAW REPORTS

of cases decided in
THE  FIJI  COURT  OF  APPEAL
and
THE  SUPREME  COURT  OF  FIJI

1968
Volume 14

This volume may be cited as “14 F.L.R.”

Editor:
SIR TREVOR GOULD, Kt., LL.M. (N.Z.)
Barrister-at-law, Judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal

Price:  $10.00

 

DIGEST AND INDEX

PAGE

AGENCY

 

    See Tort – vicarious liability Contract

 

 

 

AGRICULTURE

    Agricultural produce – assignment of proceeds by Fijian – validity – Agricultural Produce (Authorities by Fijians) Ordinance (Cap.205 – 1967) ss. 2, 3.

    South Pacific Sugar Mills Ltd. v. Peni Muavesi

113

 

 

APPEAL

    Civil appeal – death caused by negligent driving of two motor vehicles – apportionment of degrees of blame – variation of apportionment by appellate court.

    North-West Transport Co. Ltd. v. Iferemi Kubukawa

207

    Civil appeal –several defendants – submission of no case to answer by one rejected – evidence called by others – appeal to be decided on whole of evidence.

    Vijay Kumar v. Jayanti Lal

188

    Criminal appeal – appeal by Crown against acquittal in Magistrate’s Court – questions of fact – Penal Code (Cap. 11-1967) s.302a.

    Attorney-General v. Gyan Chand

256

    Criminal appeal – driving under influence of drink – disqualification – application for removal – no appeal lies from refusal of application – Traffic Ordinance 1965 (later Cap.152 – 1967) ss. 29 (1)(a), 29(2), 30(3), 39(1) (2) – Magistrates’ Courts Ordinance (Cap. 10 – 1967) ss.36, 41 – Penal Code (Cap. 8 – 1955) s.38 – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14 – 1967) ss.43(2), 118, 157, 206, 289 (1) – Criminal Procedure Code 1945 (Tranganyika) ss. 52, 132, 210, 174, 312 – Penal Code (Tanganyika) s.38.

    Simpson v. Attorney-General

161

    Criminal appeal – powers of Supreme Court in appellate jurisdiction – appeal from Magistrate’s Court – conviction of dangerous driving and order for disqualification in the Supreme Court – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap.9 – 1955) s.326 (1).

    Vijay Parmanandam v. Reginam

109

    Divorce – summary procedure – evidence taken by magistrate – credibility of witnesses – proceedings in Supreme Court and Court of Appeal based on magisterial record – Court of Appeal is as good a position as Supreme court to assess credibility – power of Court of Appeal to direct decree – Divorce of Appeal to direct decree – Divorce (Summary Jurisdiction) Ordinance (Cap. 29-1955) ss.10, 12 Court of Appeal Ordinance (Cap.8 – 1967) s.13.

    Behari v. Siu Kuar alias Shukumari

101

    Driving licence – disqualification order – variation in right of appeal according to whether order made in Supreme Court or Magistrate’s Court – Traffic Ordinance 1965 ss. 29 (2), 38 (1) – Court of Appeal Ordinance (Cap.3 – 1955) s.17A.

    Vijay Parmanandam v. Reginam

109

    Finding by magistrate based on evaluation of witness’ testimony – not disturbed on appeal in absence of cogent reasons.

    Dayaram Sharma v. Northern Hotels Ltd.

157

    Findings of fact by trial judge – open to appeal court to draw own inferences from facts found – negligent driving.

    Muneshwar Prasad v. Ramzan Khan

200

    Insufficient finds by trial judge on credibility of witnesses – position of appeal court – new trial.

    Hasmat Bibi v. Asgar Ali

147

 

 

BANKRUPTCY

    Application by Official Receiver to declare transfer void under ss.44 (1) and 46 of Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap.37 – 1955) – decided by court on ground not relied upon or argued – breach of principle that a party must know the case he has to answer.

    Rasul Bani v. Official Receiver

196

 

 

BILL OF SALE

    Registration not renewed – action on personal covenant – meaning of “fraudulent and void” in s.7 of Bills of Sale Ordinance – limited construction to avoid injustice – personal covenant not affected – Bills of Sale Ordinance (Cap.193 – 1955) ss.2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 – Bills of Sale Act 1854 (Imperial) – Bills of Sale Act 1866 (Imperial) – Debtors Act 1869 (Imperial ss.26, 27 – Bills of Sale Act 1878 (Imperial) ss.8, 11, 14 – Bills of Sale (Amendment) Act 1882 (Imperial) ss.4, 5, 8, 9, 12 – Bills of Sale Ordinance 1879 s.20 – Fraudulent Conveyances Act 1571 (Imperial).

    Faiz Mohammed Khan Sherani v. Latchman

31

 

 

CONTRACT

    Agency – authority to receive payment – payment made by open cheque – clear intimation to person paying required if agent’s authority limited to receiving payment in a particular form.

    Dayaram Sharma v. Northern Hotels Limited

157

 

 

COURTS

    Court of Appeal – earlier decision of Court of Appeal – whether binding – stare decisis principle – less stringent approach preferable – circumstances justifying refusal to follow earlier decision.

    Faiz Mohammed Khan Sherani v. Latchman

31

 

 

CRIMINAL LAW

Charge

    Larceny – naming of owner of property stolen not essential – if owner named his ownership must be proved – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14 – 1867) s.123 ( c ) (i).

    Brij Basi Singh v. Reginam

248

    Particulars of Offence – omission of words “with intent to do some grievous harm” – charge defective but not a nullity – Penal Code (Cap. 8-1955) ss.120, 123 (a) (i) (ii) (iii), 325 (1).

    Ravindra Chandra v. Reginam

55

Confession

    Police procedure – “confrontation” of persons interviewed by calling suspect to their presence – admissibility of confession – admission by judge – function of assessors – probative value – direction by judge to assessors – relevance of “fear” to admissibility.

    Tara Chand v. Reginam

73

    Trial within a trial – whether necessary when factum and not voluntariness is the issue.

    Barmanand v. Reginam

139

Evidence and proof

    Birth certificate – proof of certified copy – maxim “Omnia praesumuntur rite esse acta” – Births, Deaths and Marriages Ordinance (Cap.133-1955) ss.9, 32 – Interpretation Ordinance 1967, s. 38 – Penal Code (Cap. 8 – 1955) ss. 144, 147 (1) (a).

    Ibrahim Khan v Reginam

25

    Common intention – no physical participation by accused in attack – statements by accused – whether justified finding of common intention to degree requisite for conviction of murder  - Judges’ Rules – scope of Rule 4 – Penal Code (Cap. 11-1967) ss.21, 22.

    Kanda Sami Naikar alias Gandhi v. Reginam

235

    Confession – trial within a trial – whether necessary when factum and not voluntariness is the issue.

    Barmanand v. Reginam

139

    Dying declaration – state of mind of deceased – gravity of wounds – completeness of statement – admissibility.

    Sukh Raj v. Reginam

241

    Evidence of persons serving sentences as convicted prisoners – summing up – warning to assessors by trial judge.

    Vereniki Vueti Merumeru v. Reginam

177

    Investigation of crime by police – “mass” investigation – whether procedure unfair.

    Tara Chand v. Reginam

73

    Using abusive words in a public place – whether words might occasion a breach of the peach – whether objective or subjective test to be applied by court – dangerous driving – objective test to be applied – Penal Code (Cap. 8-1955) s.199 ( r ) - Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 9-1955) s. 325 – Traffic Ordinance 1965, s.38 (1).

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Witnesses – previous inconsistent statements by – conflict of evidence between witnesses – admissibility and weight – direction to assessors.

    Hari Pal v. Reginam

218

Judgement

    No impediment to matters affecting conviction and those affecting sentence being dealt with at different stages – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14 – 1967) s. 154 (1) (2) – Penal Code (Cap.11 – 1967) ss.279 (b), 288, 366 (a) – Court of Appeal Ordinance (Cap.8-1967) s.22 (1) (6).

    Sucha Singh v. Reginam

222

Plea

    Amendment of charge in Magistrate’s Court – additional counts – necessity of taking new plea on original counts – effect of neglect to take – proceedings a nullity – application of “proviso” inappropriate – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14-1967) ss.204, 300 (1).

    Hari Pratap v. Reginam

93

    Autrefois acquit – larceny of cattle – acquittal at first trial on ground property in cattle laid in wrong person – second trial – charge laying property in correct person – whether conviction possible at first trial – incumbent upon prosecution to establish ownership if owner named in charge – Penal Code (Cap.8-1955) s.301 – Penal Code (Cap.11-1967) ss.291 (2) ( c ), 307 – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14-1967) ss. 123    ( c ) (i), 124, 204, 300 (1) – Criminal Procedure Act 1851 (Imperial) s. 1 – Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (New South Wales) s.6 (1) – Constitution of Fiji (Fiji (Constitution) Order 1966, Sch. 2) s. 8 (5).

    Brij Basi Singh v. Reginam

248

Practice and Procedure

    Amendment of charge in Magistrate’s Court – addition of alternative counts – on amendment plea taken to new counts only – whether new plea to original counts necessary – whether application of “proviso” appropriate when new plea not taken – Penal Code (Cap. 8-1955) s. 374 (a) – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap.14 – 1967) ss.120, 121, 123, 204, 300 (1) – Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Nigeria – Cap.43) s. 164 (4).

    Hari Pratap v. Reginam

93

    Amendment of charge – necessity for fresh plea – whether reason for amendment is that charge was defective – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14 –1967) ss.120, 204 (1) (2) (3), 300 (1) –Indictments Act 1915 (Imperial) ss.3, 5.

    Sucha Singh v. Reginam

222

    Amendment of charge – plea to altered charge not taken – fatal and incurable defect – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 9-1955) ss.198 (1) (2) (3), 204 (1) (2) – Traffic (Construction and Use) Regulations 1955, reg. 23 (2) – Traffic Regulation 1967, regs. 78, 122, 138 (d) – Traffic Ordinance 1965, ss.8, 85.

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Confession – all facts relevant to admissibility at large for assessors in considering question of probative value.

    Tara Chand v. Reginam

73

    Dangerous driving – careless driving a minor cognate offence in relation thereto – court’s power to convict – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap.9-1955) s.164 (1) (2) – Traffic Ordinance 1965, ss.36, 38.

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Evidence of confession – no objection by defence counsel to admissibility – cross-examination suggesting repudiation and threats by police – necessity for trial within a trial.

    Barmanand v. Reginam

139

    Minor cognate offence – accused charged with “Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Harm” – convicted of “Unlawfully Doing Grievous Harm” – unnecessary to enter formal acquittal on original charge – Penal Code (Cap. 8-1995) ss.250 (a), 253 – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 9-1955) ss.155, 164 (1) (2), 206.

    Ravindra Chandra v. Reginam

55

    Statement by accused – practice of having accused interviewed by Justice of the Peace after making statement – purpose of interview – inherent dangers.

    Kanda Sami Naikar alias Gandhi v. Reginam

 

Principles of Criminal Liability

    Criminal intimidation – proof of intent to create alarm essential – unnecessary to prove actual creation of alarm – Penal Code (Cap. 11-1967) s.366 (a).

    Sucha Singh v. Reginam

222

    Dangerous driving – using abusive words in public place – nature of tests to be applied by court in determining whether charge proved – Penal Code (Cap.8 – 1955) s.199 ( r ) - Traffic Ordinance 1965, s. 38 (1).

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Mens rea – murder – three participants – attack on deceased followed by throwing of body into stream – cause of death not proved – possibility of death by drowning – indivisible course of conduct by accused – no necessity for pre-arranged plan – liability.

    Tara Chand v. Reginam

73

Provocation

    Onus of proof – adequacy of direction in summing up.

    Pratap Chand v. Reginam

192

Sentence

    Default in complying with demand of Commissioner of Inland Revenue – fine – consideration relevant to assessment – difference between lenient and nominal penalty – Income Tax Ordinance (Cap.176-1967) ss.61, 100 (1).

    Attorney-General v. Hari Chand

245

    Fine – first offender – means of accused to be considered – maximum penalty reserved for worst offenders – plea to lesser offence accepted – no opportunity to address in mitigation – Traffic Ordinance 1965, ss.37, 85.

    Basdeo Sharma v. Reginam

3

    Indecent practice between males – recent trends in sentencing – consistency – Penal Code (Cap. 8 – 1955) s.167.

    Peni Wainiqeqe v. Reginam

1

Summing up

    Evidence of witnesses serving sentences of imprisonment – warning to assessors – Penal Code (Cap. 8-1955) s.271.

    Vereniki Vueti Merumeru v. Reginam

177

    No verbatim record – judge’s note – provocation the only defence relied upon – direction as to onus of proof on issue of provocation – whether adequate.

    Pratap Chand v. Reginam

192

Traffic Offences

    Careless driving – failure by prosecution to call evidence to prove the vehicle number alleged in the particulars of the charge – no presumption as to number in favour of the prosecution – absence of proof of number not a fatal defect – Traffic Ordinance 1965, ss.37, 85 – Traffic Ordinance (Cap.152-1967) ss.2, 37.

    Wong (George) v. Reginam

67

    Dangerous driving – driving onto pedestrian crossing through red light – conviction and disqualification in Supreme Court on appeal from Magistrate’s Court – Traffic Ordinance 1965, ss. 29 (2), 38 (1) – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 9-1955) s.325 (1).

    Vijay Parmanandam v. Reginam

109

    Disqualification – application for removal – no appeal lies from refusal of application – Traffic Ordinance 1965 (later Cap.152-1967) ss.29 (1) (a), 29 (2), 30 (3), 39 (1) (2) –Magistrates’ Courts Ordinance (Cap.10-1967) ss.36, 41-Penal Code (Cap.8-1955) s.38 – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap.14-1967) ss.43 (2), 118, 157, 206, 289 (1) – Criminal Procedure Code 1945 (Tanganyika) ss.52, 132, 210, 174, 312 – Penal Code (Tanganyika) s.38.

    Simpson v. Attorney-General

161

    Disqualification – application for removal – questions for consideration – whether “special reasons” existed at time of disqualification is one relevant circumstance – Traffic Ordinance 1965 (later Cap. 152 – 1967) ss.29 (1) (a), 29 (2), 30 (3).

    Simpson v. Attorney-General

161

    Road – failure to prove accident occurred on specific road named in charge – proclamation of public road – judicial notice of road and location thereof – Road Ordinance (Cap. 151-1967) – Roads and Rail Traffic Regulations (Cap.151-1967).

    Wong (George) v. Reginam

67

Trial

    Probation Officer’s report on background and antecedents of accused – dangers in practice of obtaining report before adjudication – Penal Code (Cap. 11-1967) s. 302 (a).

    Attorney-General v. Gyan Chand

256

Witnesses

    Conflict between – previous inconsistent statements – appropriate direction to assessors.

    Hari Pal v. Reginam

218

    Persons serving sentences of imprisonment – summing up.

    Vereniki Vueti Merumeru v. Reginam

177

General

    Wrongful confinement – meaning of “confinement” – Penal Code (Cap.11-1967) s.288 – Penal Code (India) s.340.

    Sucha Singh v. Reginam

222

 

 

CROP LIEN

    Second crop lien executed pursuant to covenant in first – crops harvested after expiry of first and before execution of second – proceeds not subject to lien.

    Nanuku-Wailevu Land-Purchase Co-operative Society Ltd. v. Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.

123

 

 

DAMAGES

    Death caused by negligent driving – apportionment of degrees of blame attachable to driver of each motor vehicle – variation of apportionment by appellate court.

    North-West Transport Co. Ltd. v. Iferemi Kubukawa

207

    Personal injury – negligence – general damages – loss of earning capacity – damages awarded in respect thereof excessive – compulsory third party insurance – no bearing on damages – Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance (Cap.236-1955).

    Krishna Reddy v. Mohammed Yusuff

132

 

 

DEFAMATION

    See Libel

 

 

 

DIVORCE

    Discretion – question of exercise of discretion does not arise unless and until petitioner proves his case.

    Behari v. Siu Kuar alias Shukumari

101

    Evidence and proof – proof of non-access – standard of proof required – evidence of spouse admissible to prove or disprove marital intercourse – Law Reform (Matrimonial Proceedings) Ordinance (Cap. 30 – 1955) s. 3(1).

    Behari v. Siu Kuar alias Shiukumari

101

    Summary procedure – evidence taken by magistrate – magistrate in best position to assess credibility of witnesses – Divorce (Summary Jurisdiction) Ordinance (Cap.29-1955) ss.10, 12 – Court of Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 8-1967) ss.12 (1) (b), 13.

    Behari v. Siu Kuar alias Shiukumari

101

 

 

ESTOPPEL

    Principle “no estoppel against a statute” – scope and object of legislation – assignment of proceeds of cane crop by Fijian – approval by authorised person – neglect of mandatory conditions precedent – validity – Agricultural Produce (Authorities by Fijians) Ordinance (Cap.205-1967) ss.2, 3.

    South Pacific Sugar Mills Ltd. v. Peni Muavesi

113

 

 

EVIDENCE AND PROOF

    See also Moneylending

    Divorce – non-access – standard of proof required – evidence taken by magistrate – assessment of credibility – Divorce (Summary Jurisdiction) Ordinance (Cap. 29-1955) ss. 10, 12.

    Behari v. Siu Kuar alias Shiukumari

101

    Mode of proof of Ordinance and subsidiary legislation – judicial notice – not conditional upon production of Gazette at hearing – Interpretation Ordinance 1967, ss. 4, 21, 33, 63 – Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1-1955) ss.3, 9, 22 (1) – Documentary Evidence Act 1868 (Imperial) ss.2, 3 – Evidence Act 1905-1934 (Commonwealth of Australia) s.5.

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Mode of proof of Ordinances and subsidiary legislation – separate mandatory requirements of sections 4 and 21 of Interpretation Ordinance 1967, ss.2 (1), 4, 21 – Revised Edition of the Laws Ordinance 1955.

    Vijay Parmanandam v. Reginam

109

 

 

FIJIAN

    Agricultural produce – protected status under Ordinance – Agricultural Produce (Authorities by Fijians) Ordinance (Cap.205-1967) ss.2, 3.

    South Pacific Sugar Mills Ltd v. Peni Muavesi

113

 

 

INCOME TAX

    Default in complying with demand of Commissioner under section 61 of the Income Tax Ordinance (Cap.176-1967) – penalty – considerations relevant to assessment of appropriate fine.

    Attorney-General v. Hari Chand

245

 

 

INCORPORATED SOCIETIES

    Co-operative society – money owning by member to society for price of shares – agential authority by member to sugar miller for payment of cane proceeds to society – statutory charge in favour of co-operative society – charge limited to crops etc. raised purchased or produced from a loan by the society – Co-operative Societies Ordinance (Cap.219-1955) s.14 (1) – Co-operative Societies Ordinance (Cap. 219-1967) s.15 – Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Ordinance 1967.

    Nanuku-Wailevu Land-Purchase Co-op. Soc’y. Ltd. v. Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.

123

 

 

INSURANCE

    Motor vehicles – third party – vicarious liability of owner for acts of driver not enlarged by Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance (Cap.153-1967).

    Janita Yumgad Jan v. Sukhlal

64

    Third party risks – negligent driving – requirement of legislation as to amount of insurance does not limit damages claimable – Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance (Cap. 236-1955).

    Krishna Reddy v. Mohammed Yusuff

132

 

 

INTERPLEADER

    Moneys in court – claim based on statutory charge unfounded – refusal by court to adjudicate upon effectiveness of agential authority not made basis of claim.

    Nanuku-Wailevu Land-Purchase Co-op. Soc’y. Ltd. v. Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.

123

 

 

INTERPRETATION

    Bills of sale – construction of Ordinance – limited interpretation of general words of avoidance – construction to avoid injustice – meaning of “fraudulent and void” in section 7 of Bills of Sale Ordinance – possible constructions of Ordinance – whether personal covenant rendered void by failure to renew registration – Bills of Sale Ordinance (Cap.193-1955) ss.2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 – bills of Sale Ordinance 1879, s.20 – Bills of Sale Act 1854 (Imperial) – Bills of Sale Act 1866 (Imperial) – Debtors Act 1869 (Imperial) ss.26, 27 – Bills of Sale Act 1878 (Imperial) ss.8, 11, 14 – Bills of Sale (Amendment) Act 1882 (Imperial ss. 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 – Fraudulent Conveyances Act 1571 (Imperial).

     Faiz Mohammed Khan Serani v. Latchman

31

    Criminal law – meaning of expression “altered charge” – Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14 – 1967) s.204 (1).

    Hari Pratap v. Reginam

93

    Interpretation Ordinance 1967 – construction of section 4 – courts – method of proof of Ordinances and subsidiary legislation – judicial notice – Interpretation Ordinance 1967, ss.4, 21, 33, 63 – Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1 – 1955) ss.3, 9, 22 (1).

    Attorney-General v. Vijay Parmanandam

6

    Interpretation Ordinance 1967 – construction of sections 4 and 21 – requirement that judicial notice of legislation be taken separate and unconditional.

    Vijay Parmanandam v. Reginam

109

    Ordinance – rating – requirements as to notice – subject matter and object of legislation – Townships Ordinance (Cap. 79-1955) ss. 10 (5) (6), 11, 12 (1) (2) (4) (5) (6), 13 – Townships (Amendment) Ordinance 1965 – Townships Ordinance (Cap. 107-1967).

    Ba Township Board v. Chimanbhai Appabhai Patel

169

    Ordinance – statutory charge created by section 14 (1) (a) of Co-operative Societies Ordinance (Cap.219-1955) – construction of section – Co-operative Societies Ordinance (Cap. 219-1967) s.15.

    Nanuku-Wailevu Land-Purchase Co-op. Socy, Ltd. v. Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.

123

    Ordinance – whether imperative or directory – scope and object of legislation – Agricultural Produce (Authorities by Fijians) Ordinance (Cap.195-1955; Cap.205-1967) ss. 2, 2 ( c ), 3, 3 (3) – Agricultural Produce (Authorities by Natives) (Amendment) Ordinance 1965 – Court of Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 8-1967) s.12 – Bills of Sale Ordinance (Cap.202-1967) – Civil Code of Lower Canada, Article 2590 – concessions Ordinance (Laws of the Gold Coast (1951) Cap. 136) s.32 (2).

    South Pacific Sugar Mills Ltd. v. Peni Muavesi

113

 

 

LANDLORD AND TENANT

    Land under Land (Transfer and Registration) Ordinance – entry under unregistered lease – unregistered leave operating as agreement to lease – estate or interest at common law – Land (Transfer and Registration) Ordinance (Cap. 136-1955) ss. 14, 25.

    Abdul Rahman Sahu Khan v. Dhupraji

181

    Native land – sublease – consent of Native Land Trust Board given conditionally – consent withdrawn on non-fulfilment of condition – dealing inoperative – recovery of possession by landlord by virtue of strength of own title – Native Land Trust Ordinance (Cap.115-1967) s.12.

    Ram Pali v. Jagman

259

    Prescription – claim by adjoining owner – land leased to tenants – time does not run against landlord until expiration of tenancies – Real Property Limitation Act 1833 (Imperial) – Real Property Limitation Act 1874 (Imperial) s.2 – Supreme Court Ordinance (Cap. 4-1955) s.35.

    Abdul Rahman Sahu Khan v. Dhupraji

181

 

 

LIBEL

    Apology – reference to by judge – no payment into Court – whether reference permissible – Libel Act 1845 (Imperial) s.2.

    Fiji Times and Herald Ltd. v. Marquardt-Gray

213

    Newspaper report – plaintiff’s name appearing therein – capable to being understood as referring to him – words in natural sense capable of libellous meaning – innuendo unnecessary.

   Fiji Times and Herald Ltd. v. Marquardt-Gray

213

 

 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS

    Land – adverse possession – requisites of proof – entry as trespasser unnecessary – area claimed to be proved with particularity – land claimed in occupation of tenants under unregistered agreements – time running against tenants but not owner of freehold – Real Property Limitation Act 1833 (Imperial) – Real Property Limitation Act 1874 (Imperial) s.2 – Supreme Court Ordinance (Cap. 4-1955) s. 35 – Land (Transfer and Registration) Ordinance (Cap.136-1955) ss. 14, 25, Part 9 – Suva (Subdivision of Land) By-laws (Cap. 78-1955).

    Abdul Rahman Sahu Khan v. Dhupraji

181

 

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Rating – township – notice that entries in rate-book completed and rate-book open for inspection – required on each occasion rate struck – non-compliance fundamental irregularity – requirement additional to notice of particulars of rate – Townships Ordinance (Cap.79-1955) ss. 10 (5), (6), 11, 12 (1) (2) (4) (5) (6), 13 – Townships Ordinance (Cap.107-1967).

    Ba Township Board v. Chimanbhai Appabhai Patel

169

 

 

MONEYLENDING

    Burden of proof – proof of compliance with section 16 of Moneylenders Ordinance (Cap.207-1955) – section pleased in defence – Moneylenders Act 1927 (Imperial) s.6.

    Sarwan Singh v. Salote Vibote

87

    Promissory notes sole security – procedure required – authentication of copy by lender – positive act of authentication necessary – Moneylenders Ordinance (Cap. 207-1955) ss. 16 (1) (4), 18.

   Sarwan Singh v. Salote Vibote

87

 

 

NATIVE LAND

    Sublease – consent of Native Land Trust Board given conditionally – consent withdrawn on non-fulfilment of condition – dealing inoperative – Native Land Trust Ordinance (Cap.115-1967) s.12.

    Ram Pali v. Jagman

259

 

 

NEGLIGENCE

    Damages for – apportionment of blame between two negligent drivers – variation of apportionment by appellate court.

    North-West Transport Co. Ltd. v. Iferemi Kubukawa

207

    Motor vehicle – injuries to passenger through overturning – cause of accident – nail in rear tyre – whether driver negligent – doctrine of res ipsa loquitur not applicable.

    Ramzan v. Jagdish Chand Gosai

136

    Motor vehicle – negligence of driver – open to appeal court to draw inferences based on facts as found by trial judge.

    Muneshwar Prasad v. Ramzan Khan

200

 

 

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

    Application under Bankruptcy Ordinance – argument limited to sections of Ordinance – grounds argued rejected by court – application granted under statute 13 Eliz. 1, c.5 – breach of principle that a party must know case he has to answer – Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap. 37-1955) ss.44 (1), 46, 97 (1) – (Fraudulent Conveyances) 13 Eliz. 1, c.5 (Imperial).

    Rasul Bani v. Official Receiver

196

    New trial – no sufficient finding on credibility of witnesses in the court below.

    Hasmat Bibi v. Asgar Ali

147

    Several defendants – submissions of no case to answer by one only – ruling deferred until after evidence called by other defendants – Public Authorities Protection Ordinance (Cap.6-1955) s.2.

    Vijay Kumar v. Jayanti Lal

188

    Statement of claim – struck out as against owner of motor vehicle where no basis for vicarious liability averred – owner’s vicarious liability not increased by Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance (Cap. 153-1967) s.6.

    Janita Yumgad Jan v. Sukhlal

64

 

 

PRESCRIPTION

    See Limitation of Actions

 

 

 

RATING

    See Local Government

 

 

 

ROAD TRAFFIC

    See Criminal Law – Traffic Offences Negligence

 

 

 

ROADS

    See Criminal Law – Traffic Offences

 

 

 

STARE DECISIS

    See Courts

 

 

 

TORTS

    See also Negligence

    Vicarious liability – motor vehicle driven by person other than owner – vicarious liability of owner not enlarged by Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Ordinance (Cap. 153-1967) – necessity for basis of liability of owner to be averred in statement of claim.

    Janita Yumgad Jan v. Sukhlal

64

TRIAL

    Judgment – witnesses – credibility – necessity for finding on credibility of witnesses in judgment – appeal court not in position to determine whether witnesses to be believed or not – new trial.

    Hasmat Bibi v. Asgar Ali

147

 

 

WORDS AND PHRASES

 

 -“Altered charge”–Criminal Procedure Code (Cap.14-1967) s.204(1) (a).

98

-“Confinement” – Penal Code (Cap. 11-1967) s.366 (a).

225

 

 


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