G. B. A. COKER, J.S.C.(Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellants Holts Transport Limited-were the 1st defendants in an action instituted in the High Court, Warri, by the respondents; as plaintiffs, i.e. K. Chellarams and Sons (Nigeria) Ltd., and in which the plaintiffs claimed against two defendants, the second being the Elder Dempster Agencies Ltd. The plaintiffs' writ was endorsed as follows: "The plaintiffs claim against the defendants jointly and severally is for a sum of 4, 159:0:4d. (four thousand one hundred and fifty nine pounds and four pence) being damages sustained by the loss of 15 bales of Real Madras handkerchiefs which were entrusted to the defendants as bailees and/or carriers and received by the defendants as such bailees and/or carriers for hire and reward for delivery to the plaintiffs at Warri which said bales of Real Madras handkerchiefs the defendants have negligently failed and neglected to deliver to the plaintiffs despite repeated demands."
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