9217. Did you get the whole payment of your wages for that voyage before you left?-Yes, except the second payment of oil-money. That second payment is made after the oil is boiled. There is a calculation made when we come home with regard to the whole amount of oil that is in the ship, and when we arrive we are paid a proportion of that. Then, when the oil is boiled; they see what it actually amounts to and we are paid the balance of our oil-money.
9218. Then on this voyage in 1867, which you made for Mr. Leask, you were advanced at sailing the whole amount of your wages and the first payment your oil-money?-Yes.
9219. And all that you had to get afterwards was your last payment of oil-money?-Yes.
9220. You got the whole of the amount in cash or goods?-Yes.
9221. But mostly in goods?-I could not say that it was mostly in goods, because, except the £1, 5s. 3d. and perhaps 10s. of my first month's advance I do not think I got more goods from them. I am not sure; about that; but I cannot say that I got more.
Mid Yell, January 17, 1872, JOHN JOHNSTON, examined.
9222. You hold some land now from Mr. M'Queen at Burravoe?- Yes.
9223. Do you fish for Mr. Henderson?-No; I fish for Mr. Adie at the Out Skerries.
9224. Were you formerly a tenant on the Lunna estate?-Yes. I left it seven years ago because Sheriff Bell's tenantry there were handed over to Mr. Robertson, and were bound to fish for him. He and I had disputed at one time, and I was not very well satisfied about fishing for him. I was paying my land rent to the Sheriff, and I thought that when a man was [Page 223] paying his land rent he ought to have freedom to fish to the best advantage for himself that he could.
9225. Where did you engage to fish that season?-At the Skerries, to Mr. Adie.