The  words  "  at,"  "  on,"  "  upon,"  "  until,"  a  certain  time
or  event,  or  like  terms  used  in  relation  to  time,  may  mean
before,  or  simultaneously  with,  or  after  the  act  or  event,  accord-
ing to  the  reasonable  construction  of  the  context  (x) .  Under
a  bill  of  lading  making  the  freight  payable  "  on  right  delivery
of  the  cargo,"  the  delivery  of  the  cargo  and  payment  of  freight
are  concurrent  acts,  requiring  a  concurrent  readiness  to  per-
form them  {y).  A  term  or  period  of  time  commencing  "on"
a  given  day  presumptively  includes  that  day ;  and  if  ter-
minating "on"  the  day,  excludes  it ;  and  if  terminating
"  with"  the  day,  includes  it  (s).  A  contract  of  service  com-
mencing from  a  stated  day  is  presumptively  exclusive  of  the
day ;  and  a  service  commencing  on  a  day  is  inclusive  of  it ;
but  the  construction  may  be  made  to  conform  with  the  appa-
rent intention  of  the  parties  {a).
Deeds  and  all  other  instruments,  as  bills  of  exchange,
agreements,  and  letters  are  presumed  to  have  been  executed
or  signed  and  issued  at  the  time  they  bear  date  (b) ;  but  the


(s)  Mercantile  Marine  Ins.  v.  Tith-
erington,  5  B.  &  S.  765  ;  34  L.  J.
Q.  B.  11 ;  see  Hunter  v.  Nortliern
Ins.,  L.  E.  13  Ap.  Ga.  717.
it)  Isaacs  V.  Royal  Ins.,  L.  E.  5
Ex.  296;  39  L.  J.  Ex.  189;  see
Anon.,  1  L.  Raym.  480.
(u)  South  Staff.  Tram  Co.  v.  Acci-
dent Ass.,  (1891)  1  Q.  B.  402;  60
L.  J.  Q.  B.  47.
(x)  Per  cur.  The  Qmen  v.  Ark-
wright,  12  Q.  B.  970  ;  see  Bellhonse
or  Backhouse  v.  Mellor,  4  H.  &  N.
116;  28  L.  J.  Ex.  141.
