COSTLY LAWSUITS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 16, 4 September 1911, Page 2

COSTLY LAWSUITS.

A LONG FEU])'. From time to time costly lawsuits over trifles have been reported, , but it is very doubtful if the records of any country could show a more extraordinary case than one mentioned recently by the “Englishman,” Calcutta. It recalls that fine story of Bret Harte, “The Iliad of Sandy Bar,” in which two close friends quarrelled bitterly and remained enemies ever afterwards because one of them said there was too much saleratus in the bread. A certain mango tree grew on the boundary between two properties in Bengal, and distributed its foliage and fruit impartially over both. Twenty years ago the families occupying the properties quarrelled over the mangoes on the tree, and one night one of them was caught by the other picking the fruit. A fight ensued, and two people were killed. Some time afterwards tiie two principals met one day in a neighbouring village and came to blows over the tree. They were separated in a deplorable condition of bloodiness, and fined. Then followed a long period of fends and lighting, during which the fruit was picked first by one side and they by the other. Finally armed guards wore posted round the tree by both sides. This went on, with occasional lights, for several years. It was a case of one trying to wear the other out. Thousands of rupees were paid out for these special parties and for lines, burials of victims, court expenses and ammunition. A dozen people are said to have lost their lives in flic fighting, and 50,000 rupees is said t.o have been paid in expenses. Moreover, the neighbourhood was kept in a constant state of unrest for many years. It was only the other day that the ridiculous though tragic business was settled by a Calcutta business man, who had rendered favours to both parties . He induced them to make the tree over to him by deed, and when ho had acquired full tide to it, erected a large cement wall round it. Ho prefers to remain unknown, which is a pity, for decorations awarded for meritorious service in India have been given for less i ban this.