8839. Have Messrs. Hay & Co. a tack of the kelp shores?-No; it is done by any one who wishes to make it.
8840. And the entries are made to the credit of the women who gather it and burn it?-Yes.
8841. From how many of them have you made purchases during last year?-Only from about half a dozen. I have only purchased about 28 cwt. of it.
8842. What is the price paid for it?-4s. 6d. a cwt.
8843. Is that generally taken out in goods?-No.
8844. Do you pay 4s. 6d. when it is paid in cash?-Just the same; I make no difference.
8845. Do you not have two prices for it as they have in some places?-No; it is all the same to me whether they take money or goods. I should like them to take the goods, no doubt, but I don't compel them.
8846. In Robina Fraser's account I see that she has got more money than she has given kelp for: why was that?-She made a promise to work more, but she has not done it yet.
8847. Have you ever tried to send out a number of men to the winter fishing in large boats from Fetlar?-No.
8848. Do you consider that would be impracticable?-I think so. The coast is rather tempestuous, with heavy tides, and I don't think they would make anything of it.