8974. Who buys it?-Mr Thomas Williamson has bought some for a year or two back but I don't think he bought any last year. My eldest daughter was employed for two years in working at it in the summer time, and I think she had an account for it; but I don't know much about that.
8975. Were you at one time a tenant in Whalsay?-Yes.
8976. When did you leave it?-In 1862.
8977. Up till that time you were a tenant under Mr. Bruce of Simbister?-Yes.
8978. What rent did you pay there?-The rent I always paid for my ground was 26s.
8979. Did you fish for Mr. Bruce at that time?-Yes, for the late Mr. William Bruce.
8980. And you had an account with him at the shop in Whalsay?- Yes.
8981. How did you pay your rent?-Generally by fishing.
8982. Was it put into your account?-Yes. The thing was carried on on a very strange system. Our land was put in to us at a low rent, and our fish were taken from us at as low a value. The prices for the fish never varied, either for the spring or summer.
8983. Do you mean that they were the same every year?-They were. Whatever they might be in the markets, they were all the same to us.