(1.) The Subordinate Judge is wrong on both the points decided by him. There can be no question of adverse possession in favour of the defendant, because under the customary law of Malabar, the Kuzhikanom lessee is entitled to remain in possession until he is paid the value of the improvements.
(2.) In this respect, the law is the same in South Canara : Daramma v. Mariamma (1898) 24 M.L.J. 397. It is true that Section 5 of the Malabar Compensation for Improvements Act does not in terms apply to South Canara but as was pointed out in Kummatha Vittil Kutti Kuthali v. Rev. Antoni Goveas (1918) M.W.N. 339 that section only embodies the customary law of Malabar and South Canara. Consequently on the expiry of the period fixed, the tenant does not become a trespasser. The decision in Subraveti Ramiah v. Gundala Ramanna (1909) I.L.R. 88 M. 260 quoted by the Subordinate Judge has no application to Malabar Kuzhikanom tenants. We must therefore hold that the defendant has not acquired a title by prescription.
(3.) On the question of the reasonableness of the notice to quit, we think that under the law, a tenant who remains on the land awaiting the payment of the compensation to him is not holding over as a tenant. Section 5 of the Malabar Compensation Act says that he is entitled to remain on the land, notwithstanding the fact that the tenancy has determined; therefore his possession is not by virtue of a tenant s right, but because there are monies due to him which have to be ascertained and paid. In the present case the period of lease was fixed, and on the expiry of that period, the tenancy came to an end. We have not been referred to any evidence showing that the landlord assented to the continuance of the tenancy. Mr. Madhavan Nair strongly relied upon a decision of this court in S.A. Nos. 771 to 773 of 1914. In that case it was found that the tenant made a yearly payment. Moreover the period of the tenancy was not fixed. We do not think that decision compels us to hold that when a period is fixed and there is no subsequent assent by the landlord, the quondam tenant is entitled to any notice.