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\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qr \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752 [1925] 2 FLR 129
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 SUPREME COURT CASES OF FIJI
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 [CIVIL JURISDICTION.]
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 [DIVORCE No. 3, 1923.]
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 ODIN AMICHAND, PETITIONER}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752  v. 
}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 SURAJI, RESPONDENT,}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 AND ALIRAJA, CO-RESPONDENT.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2826752 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 192}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15887165 5}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 , }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 Jan.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  14.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15035965 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 Decision under section 12 of the Divorce Ordinance 1883.
\par }{\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid9661277 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 Aboriginal Native of India}{\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 
 - meaning of expression under Divorce Ordinance 1883. Confession of a co-respondent, no evidence of the respondent having committed adultery - conflicting evidence - Commissioner in best position to weigh such evidence - principle upon which Court will a
ct.
\par }{\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid9661277 
\par }{\i\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 Held}{\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 
, expression "Aboriginal Native of India" should be read and construed to include persons of wholly Indian blood (see also }{\b\i\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 Reading v. The Queen}{
\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid9661277 , Fiji L.R., p. 237) - Court will not upset the trial Court's finding on questions of fact so long as there is sufficient evidence upon which such finding could reasonably be based.

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid2826752 Sir ALFRED YOUNG, C.J.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
 At the hearing of this petition an objection was taken by Mr. Mann of counsel on behalf of the respondent to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner to entert
ain the suit under the provisions of Ordinance 3 of 1883 on the ground that both the petitioner and the respondent were persons born in Fiji, and therefore not aboriginal natives of India within the meaning o}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 f section 2 of the Divorce Ordi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 nance of 1883. The Commiss}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid807747 
ioner disallowed the objection.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
If the expression "Any aboriginal native of India" is to be construed in its strict etymological sense, as submitted by Mr. Mann, then the provisions of the Ordinance in so far as they relate to Indians or natives 
of India would be a dead letter. It is quite clear that the Legislature could never have had an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid807747 y}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  such i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6058009 ntention inasmuch as that would}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
 lead to an absurdity. The expression is perhaps an unfortunate one, but I am of the opinion that it is capable of a secon
dary meaning and that the Legislature intended to use the same in the sense that an aboriginal native of India is the equivalent of a person of wholly Indian blood as opposed to a half-caste or person of mixed Indian and non-Indian blood, such a person as
 the last-mentioned falling within the definition of the term}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
"half-caste" as defined in section 3 of the Ordinance. The definition of "aboriginal" as given in Webster's revised and unabridged dictionary, 1918, namely, "native of or pertaining to aborigines as a Hindoo of aboriginal blood," supports me in arri}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid807747 ving at this conclusion. Sir H.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 S. Berkeley, Chief}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 Justice, in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid807747 Reading v. The Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
, Vol. 1, S.C.C., p. 237, gave a considered judgment on the meaning of a similar expression occurring in the Liquor Ordinance of 1881, and for the reason set out at length in his judgment arrived at the c}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2184861 onclusion that the expression "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 aboriginal natives of India," as used in the Ordinance, mus}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988366 t be taken as synonymous with "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 natives of India" and that an "Indian" is a native of India an}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988366 d described the expression as "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 careless and inaccurate not clearly expressing the intention of the legislation." For the reas
ons stated I am of opinion that the Commissioner had jurisdiction to entertain the suit under the Divorce Ordinance 1883.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 The case comes before me pursuant to section 13 of the Divorce Ordinance 1883, which provides, }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid10952119 inter alia}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 , that after the termination
 of the hearing of a suit the Commissioner before whom it is heard is required to forward a certified copy of the evidence, &c., to the Supreme Court together with a statement of the decree (if any) to which the petitioner is in his opinion entitled, for 
the decision of the Supreme Court or such other order as the Court shall make.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 The Commissioner in compliance with the provisions of the section cited has for the reasons given by him recommended that the Court grant a decree nisi dissolving the marriage.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
Objection has been taken to the admission in evidence of the confession of the co-respondent, and I am unable to appreciate the ground upon which this document was allowed in. It is well established t}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 hat the admission of a co-respon}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 dent is no evidence of the wife having committed adultery, in such circumstances h}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 ow can the document be admitted}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 ? The Commissioner, however,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988366 
 seems rightly to have rejected}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  it as evidence again}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 st the respondent when he ruled }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 "the confession in this case is merely an admission and nothing more," nor does he rely upon the document in giving his opi}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 nion; it may therefore be ruled}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  out.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 Further objection has been taken to the letters (exhibits C and D). It is clear that what Ramlal, the father, wrote to the petitioner could not be ev
idence against the respondent, but these letters might properly be used in cross-examination for the purpose of discrediting Ramlal, and then put in if he denied their contents. This was done, Ramlal admitting their contents with certain reservations or e
xplanations. I am of opinion therefore that in such circumstances the letters are admissible in so far as they go to discredit Ramlal}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15035965\charrsid6058009 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 s evidence.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 Now, when there is a mass of conflicting evidence, as there is in this case, no one is in a better position to weigh such}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 evidence and to decide wha}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 t}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  value and importance should be attached to it}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 , than the Commi}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 ssioner who heard the case. He both saw the demeanour of and heard the witnesses, an advantage which I have not had. In such circumstances, so long as ther
e is evidence before him upon which he could reasonably come to the conclusion which he has, and which I myself might have }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988366 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 on}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10952119 e if I had heard the evidence, I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009  should feel justified in confirming his opinion, just as much as if a case of conflicting evidenc
e were to come up on appeal, a Court of Appeal would not upset the trial Court}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15035965\charrsid6058009 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
s finding on questions of fact so long as there was sufficient evidence upon which the trial Court could reasonably come to the decision arrived at.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 
In the present case there is ample evidence upon which the Commissioner can base his opinion, and I therefore confirm the same, and order decree nisi not to be made absolute till after the expiration of three months from }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5721370\charrsid6058009 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2826752\charrsid6058009 ate hereof.
\par }}