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Parmanandam for the Plaintiff \par Mr. H. Lateef for the Defendant \par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 JUDGMENT}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par In this action the plaintiff seeks an order for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 specific performance}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of an oral sale and purchase agreement of a residential property of which the defendant is the registered proprietor. \par \par In particular the plaintiff claims in his }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Statement of Claim}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark} "3. THAT in or about January 1988 the said defendant agreed to sell to the Plaintiff and the Plaintiff agreed to purchase the residential property situated at 17 Talasiga Street., Suva more particularly described in Certificate of Title Number 20194 for the price of $35,000.00 payable at the rate of $130.00 per month for five years and the balance at the end of five years."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par The defendant for this part}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "... denies each and every allegation in paragraph 3 except that the plaintiff became a tenant of the defendant on a monthly basis at a rental of $130.00 per month."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par It is common ground that the sale and purchase agreement }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (if any)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 that exists between the parties is purely an oral one and as such is }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 prima facie}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 unenforceable within the terms of }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Section 59}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of the Indemnity, Guarantee and Bailment Act }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (Cap. 232)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 which provides }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (inter alia)}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "59. No action shall be brought - \par \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (d) upon any contract or sale of lands ... or any interest in or concerning them; \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par unless the agreement upon which such action is to be brought or some memorandum or note thereof is in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith or some other person thereunto by him lawfully authorised."}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par Clearly in the absence of any signed documentary evidence of the sale and purchase agreement this action is doomed to failure.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Learned counsel for the plaintiff however seeks to invoke the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 equitable doctrine}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of "part performance" which was developed in part as an answer to a defence based on }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Section 4}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of the Statute of Frauds 1677 following which provision our Section 59 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (op. cit)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 is framed. \par \par The doctrine finds its }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 locus classicus'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 in the judgment of the } {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Earl of}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Selbourne L.C.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Maddison v. Alderson}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (1883) 8 A.C. 467}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 when he said in an oft-cited passage at pp. 475 and 476}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "In a sui t founded on ... part performance, the defendant is really charged upon the equities resulting from the acts done in execution of the contract, and not (within the meaning of the statute) upon the contract itself ...}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The contract is not a nullity;}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 there is nothing in the statute to estop any Court which may have to exercise jurisdiction in the matter from enquiring into and taking notice of the truth of the facts.}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 All the acts done must be referred to the actual contract, which is the measure and test of th eir legal and equitable character and consequences ...}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The matter has advanced beyond the state of contract; and the equities which arise out of the stage which it has reached cannot be administered unless the contract is regarded.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The choice is between undoing what has been done (which is not always possible, or, if possible, just) and completing what has been left undone.}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The line may not always be capable of being so clearly drawn ...; but it is not arbitrary or unreasonable to hold that when the statute says that no action is to be brought to charge any person upon a contract concerning land, it has in view the simple case in which he is charged upon the contract only, and not that in which there are equities resulting from res gestae subsequent to and arising out of the contract.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 So long as the connection of those res gestae with the alleged contract does not depend upon mere parol testimony, but is reasonably to be inferred from the res gestae themselves, justice seems to require some such limitation of the scope of the statute, ...}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 " \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and later at p. 478 his lordship continued}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "It is not enough that the act done should be a condition of, or good consideration for, a contract}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 unless it is, as between the parties, such a part}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 execution as to change their relative positions as to}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 the subject matter of the contract."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par Then in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Chaproniere v. Lambert}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 [1917] 2 Ch. D. 356}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Warrington L.J. approved and adopted a passage in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid3099932 Fry on }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Specific Performance}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 '}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 in which the learned author set out 4 essential indicia or criteria that are required before any act or combination of acts may be treated as }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "part performance"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 These were}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Firstly}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , the acts of part performance must be such as not only to be referable to a contract such as that alleged, but to be referable to no other title; \par \par }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Secondly}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , they must be such as to render it a fraud in the defendant to take advantage of the contract not being in writing; \par \par }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Thirdly}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , the contract to which they refer must be such as in its own nature is enforceable by the Court; and \par \par }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Fourthly}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , there must be proper parol evidence of the contract which is let in by the act of part performance."}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par More recently in the leading case of }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Steadman v. Steadman}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637\charrsid3099932 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (1976) A.C. 536, the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 House of Lords}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 discussed and somewhat }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 expanded' the doctrine from its earlier confines.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 It was there}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Held}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (1)\tab that the alleged acts of part performance had to be considered in their surrounding circumstances and, if they pointed on a balance of probabilities to some contract between the parties and either showed the n ature of or were consistent with the oral agreement alleged, then there was sufficient part performance of the agreement";}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (2)\tab that the act of part performance did not have to be referable to that part of the agreement for the disposition of an interest in land; }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 nor}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 is there a general rule that the payment of money can not constitute an act of part performance of a parol contract."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par In particular }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Lord Reid}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 pointed out at p.540 that the equitable principle behind the authorities was the familiar one}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "If one party to an agreement stands by and lets the other party incur expense or prejudice his position on the faith of the agreement being valid he will not be allowed to turn around and assert that the agreement is unenforceable."}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (See however the strong dissent of Lord Morris and the analysis of }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahon J.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Boutique Balmoral v. Retail Holdings}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 [1976] 2 NZLR 222 at 225 and 226.) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par So much then for the law.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 I turn next to consider the evidence in the case which has come principally from the parties themselves.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The plaintiff in his evidence stated that it was in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 January 1988}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 whilst he was working as an administrative officer at the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Ministry of Forests}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 that he was first introduced to the defendant by a colleague and although they had only known each other f or several days he had a discussion with the defendant who was selling his house at }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 17 Talasiga Street}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 for $35,000 and he agreed to buy it at the asking price which he considered reasonable at the time (i.e. }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 7 months after the coups}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 ). \par \par A few days later in early }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 January 1988}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 the defendant came to his office and gave him the keys to the house at }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 17 Talasiga Street}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 shortly before leaving the country for Australia.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Thereafter the plaintiff entered into possession and occupation of the defendant's property. \par \par In }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Morphett v. Jones}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (1818) 18 RR 48}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 it was said by the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Master of the Rolls}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 at p.54}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "The acknowledged possession of a stranger in the land of another is not explicable except on the supposition of an agreement, and has therefore constantly been received as evidence of an antecedent contract, and as sufficient to authorise an inquiry into the terms; the Court regarding what has been done as a consequence of contract or tenure."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par In this latter regard, the plaintiff testified}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "We agreed on a sum of $35,000.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 This price was mentioned to me by the defendant.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 I agreed to it.} {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 I told defendant I couldn't make an immediate payment to him but I said I would pay him at Fijian $130 per month into his account in Australia and to pay him $20,000 at the end of 5 years from the time of first payment when normalcy returned." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par It is common ground that the property at }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 17 Talasiga Street}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 comprises 2 houses - a }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 principal residence'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 which was occupied by the plaintiff and a second smaller house at the rear of the property which has been variously referred to in the evidence as the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 servants quarters' or}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house' }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and which was rented out at the time for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 $100 per month}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to one Kamlesh Sharma. \par \par Although he was never given the keys to the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 either by the defendant or the tenant when the latter subsequently vacated the premises, the plaintiff said that after he had moved into the principal residence }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 in}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 spite of the tenant's failure to follow the defendant's instruction to pay the rent to him as the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 new owner'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 he }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (the plaintiff)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 did nothing to stop the defendant's brother-in-law continuing to uplift the rent because he assumed the rent being collected was going towards the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 purchase price'.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par Notwithstanding that assumption however, on receiving a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 notice to quit'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 the premises from the defendant's solicitor in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 August 1990}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , the plaintiff in a fit of }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 disappointment'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 procured the tenant to lodge a complaint with the Fair Rents Board with the result that the monthly rental on the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 was reduced to $55. \par \par In cross-examination the plaintiff explained the absence of any writing evidencing their agreement to the fact that}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 : }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "... the defendant was in a hurry to leave Fiji and couldn't stay in the office."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He understood they had a }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 gentleman's agreement'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (whatever that might mean)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and was content to buy the house without knowing }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to whom}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 ?}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 how much}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 ? }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 the house was mortgaged. \par \par He didn't pay the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 City Rates}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 because the house had not yet been transferred to him and in any event the defendant agreed to pay for it.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He denied t hat he had requested the defendant's agent }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (Hari Kumar)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to carry out any repairs to the house although his wife may have because he }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (the agent)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 was a carpenter by trade.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 As for payment, the plaintiff said his wife m}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 ay have assumed that any paymen}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 ts for the work done came out of the rental collected from the rear tenant which formed part of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 purchase price'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 . \par \par When asked what the arrangement was in regard to the outstanding balance of the purchase price the plaintiff said}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "There was none ... I was to pay if the defendant approached me."}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par He consistently denied that the defendant had merely rented the property to him and he attributed their rather }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 slip shod' arrangement } {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (Defence counsel's description)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to the defendant's unseeming haste to leave the country }{ \f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 possibly because }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "during the coups (and shortly thereafter) people weren't thinking right"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Finally he denied that he had made-up his account to take advantage of the defendant being absent overseas. \par \par The plaintiff also called one witness Naresh Prasad Shandil a }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 pandit' }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (Hindu priest)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 who saw the defendant handing over a key to the plaintiff in the plaintiff's office and later in the afternoon of that same day whilst in the company of the plaintiff at the defendant's house he heard the defendant say to the tenant of the }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 that the plaintiff was the }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 new boss'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and whatever dealings he }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (the tenant)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 had was to be with the plaintiff.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 At the plaintiff's request he performed a religious ceremony at the house appropriate for a purchaser of the house as distinct from some one who had merely rented it.}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par In cross-ex}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 a}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 mination he agreed that he performed the ceremony based on information received from the party requesti}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 ng it and not from any independe}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 nt verification or enquiry on his part. \par \par The defendant who gave a Sydney residential address described how he first bought the vacant freehold land in 1981 for $15,000 and then built 2 houses on it at a total cost of $45,000, partly financed by the }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Home Finance Co.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and partly from his own savings.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 In purchasing the land and in obtaining the loan from }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Home Finance}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 he had used the professional services of a firm of solicitors and was therefore familiar with the need for some documentation in the sale and purchase of property.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He still owes about $9,000 on the property. \par \par He retired from government service after 20 years and decided to migrate with his immediate family to Australia.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 This he did on the }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 9th of January 1988}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He had decided to rent his house out because he intended to return once his daughter who was then schooling in Sydney completed her studies.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He continued to receive rental from the tenant of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house' }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and he had lodged an }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 income tax return }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 for 1990 showing the rental income from his property. \par \par In particular the defendant described the agreement in the following terms.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "We agreed that he would rent my house at $130 per month.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 There was nothing about selling the house to him.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He paid me cash and I gave him a receipt.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He told me }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 you take the cash today and my daughter will pay the rent in Sydney'.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 I already had an account in Sydney by then."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par In cross-examination he agreed that he had unsuccessfully tried to evict the plaintiff in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 1990}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 ostensibly because he had wanted to do renovations.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He had not obtained }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Reserve Bank}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 approval for the receipt of rental in Sydney and accepted that it }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 made sense'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to enter into the payment arrangement made with the plaintiff.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He denied that property values had fallen after the coups, neither had he agreed to sell his property in a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 panic'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He was adamant that th ere was never any discussion about the plaintiff buying or him selling the house.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "It was just }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (a)}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 rental}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (agreement)." \par \par The defendant also called as witnesses his brother-in-law and attorney }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra Prasad}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Hari Kumar}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 a carpenter. \par \par }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra Prasad}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 tes tified that as the defendant's lawfully appointed attorney he had collected the rent from the tenant of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 and banked it in the defendant's account.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Apart from that he had had repairs carried out to the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 principal residence' }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 whenever he had been so advised by the plaintiff.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He distinctly recalls that he had hired a private carpenter }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Hari Kumar}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to repair a broken water main twice and a toilet cistern in early and }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 mid-1990}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 He paid the carpenter from his own monies which was later re-imbursed by the defendant. \par \par In cross-examination he reasserted that it was the plaintiff who had personally telephoned him to carry out the repairs.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Hari Kumar}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 for his part confirmed all material details of }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra's}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 evidence in addition to seeing the plaintiff at the house at the time of carrying out the repairs. \par \par Having heard and observed both the plaintiff and the defendant I have no hesitation in saying that they have both }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 tailored'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 their evidence to suit their own particular claims and purposes. \par \par For instance I do not accept that had the plaintiff genuinely believed that the rental monies being collected from the rear tenant formed part of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 purchase price'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of the property he would have allowed it to continue unchecked }{ \f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 or}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 instigated a reduction in the rental in addition to lodging a }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 caveat}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Neither would a genuinely interested purchaser of real estate show so little concern about any outstanding mortgage on the property as was exhibited by the plaintiff in this case nor for that matter would a concerned vendor agree to such an }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "open-ended"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 contract. \par \par The defendant on the other hand was quite implausible in the reason he proffered for wanting the plaintiff out of the premises as early as }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 March 1990}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 when on his own account he was not due to return to Fiji until }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 1993}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Neither did he strike the court as genuine when he denied that the value of properties had fallen after the coups.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Certainly his witness and brother-in-law agreed that house values dropped just after the coups.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Indeed the defendant appeared to agree to counsel's suggestion that his disclosure of 1990 rental income to the tax authorities was done to }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 bolster his case'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 . \par \par As for the witnesses however I can say that I have no reason to doubt their evidence and I accept them all as witnesses of truth insofar as their testimony goes.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 That is to say I accept that the plaintiff's witness did hear the conversation that transpired between the defendant and the tenant of the }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Equally I accept that }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra Prasad}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 did get and pay for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Hari Kumar}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to carry out the repairs to the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 ' }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 principal residence'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 at the plaintiff's request.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 The meaning of the conversation however and the inference to be drawn from the carrying out of the repairs are matters entirely for the court to decide having regard to all the circu mstances. \par \par In this latter regard mindful that the defendant's brother-in-law continued to collect the rental without hindrance or protest from the plaintiff or the tenant of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , I am not satisfied that the evidence of the conversation }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (which materially differed between the plaintiff and his witness)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 is so unequivocal in its terms and meaning as to lend any assistance or support to the nature of the prior agreement reached between the plaintiff and defendant. \par \par Furthermore I am fortified in my view by an entry in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 footnote 2}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 , to para 45 entitled }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 What acts amount to part performance}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 ' in }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Vol. 42}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 of Halsbury}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3099932 '}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 s Laws of England }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (4th Edition)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 which reads}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 "}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Whaley v. Bagnel}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (1765) 1 Bro Parl Cas 345 where it was held that the vendor's direction to tenants to pay rent to the purchaser was insufficient."}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par Equally the mere fact that the plaintiff may have requested }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 to carry out minor repairs to the house is not such an inconsistent act as to amount to an unequivocal denial of the existence of an agreement to buy the house particularly when the plaintiff claims }{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (mistakenly or otherwise)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 that the rental collected from the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{ \i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 boy house'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 by }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 Mahendra}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 was part and parcel of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 purchase price'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 . \par \par In the final ana}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 l}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 ysis suffice it to say that I am not satisf ied from the evidence led before me that the plaintiff's entry into possession of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 principal residence'}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 at 17 Talasiga Street was more probably the result of an agreement to purchase the property than of an agreement to rent it. \par \par In the circumstances I find the claim not proved and it is accordingly dismissed with costs to the defendant to be taxed if not agreed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 (D.V. Fatiaki) \par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 At Suva, \par 1st May, 1992. \par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2952637 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2952637 HBC0105J.91S}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid806402\charrsid2952637 \par }}