9062. You do not calculate the price of that worsted, by the pound at all?-No. We just judge of the fineness or the thickness of it.
9063. The names of the men who were fishing for you in 1871 are entered in the ledger?-Yes.
9064. Had you generally more than two boats previous to last year?-Yes. We sometimes had four, but that was the most I ever had. This [showing] is the company account for one of the boats, Basil Ramsay & Co., and then there are the private accounts of the men.
9065. In Basil Ramsay's private account, the entry 'to cash to rent' on November 17, 1869, referred to cash advanced to him for the purpose of paying his rent?-Yes. He was at that time £2, 11s. 61/2d. in my debt upon the settlement of the previous year. After a bad year I have to advance money to the fishermen in that way, in order to prevent them from being turned out.
9066. Here [showing] is an account of Janet Sinclair, Herra: who is she?-She keeps a small shop of her own, and sells things for me at Herra and buys worsted for me.
9067. Have you many women employed in that way selling goods for you?-Only that one.
9068. In another account there is meal 3s.-that would be half a lispund-in August 1871: was that the selling price at the time?- Very likely it was.
9069. There is also flour 1s. 2d. on the same date: how much was that?-8 lbs., or a peck.
9070. Where do you get your supplies of meal and flour?-Chiefly from Lerwick, from R. & C. Robertson.
9071. Would you consider yourself likely to drive a much larger business if you had a number of fishermen in your employment?- I don't know. Of course there would be more men and more stir and more traffic, and I would likely turn over more goods, because if the men could buy as cheaply from me they would not go anywhere else.