The controversy between the parties must be determined on a reference to the terms of the lease deed on a proper construction of which the rights and obligations of the parties must be determined. If it is held that after the lapse of the first 20 years of the lease, the defendants became tenants at will, there is no answer to the claim for possession of the premises. If it is held, as it had been held by the High Court, that the second defendant's interest as an assignee of the original leirnee created a lease for an indefinite period in favour of the assignee which would enure for the life of the assignee namely the company, then the further question will arise whether or not the first defendant appellant before us had acquired the same interest by virtue of the transfer in his favour. That is one of the alternative arguments raised on behalf of the appellant by his learned counsel. The learned counsel for the appellant also mentioned the ground founded on the provisions of the Mysore Rent Act ; but as that defence has not been raised in the pleadings of the defendant and as that point has not been canvassed in the High Court, we ruled that we shall not permit that contention to be raised here. But the substantial ground on which this appeal has been pressed upon us is that by virtue of the lease deed of the year 1914, on a proper construction of that grant, a permanent tenancy was created. If that is so, it is ctimmon ground that the suit must fail. Naturally therefore, the main argument at the bar on both sides has been devoted to the question, whether or not the le:ise deed evidences a perpetual grant to the lessee on the terms aQd coQditions contained in the lease Q.eed,
