9479. Who was his merchant at Macduff?-I forget; I think it was Messrs. Laing. He had one cargo from them during the time I was there. I think Mr. Adie, Voe, had some in the vessel at the same time.
9480. Was the cargo landed at Coningsburgh?-Some of it, and some at other places, just as the party got orders for it.
9481. Did the cargo belong to Mouat, or was it a joint concern?-I cannot say.
9482. Where did he get his flour?-He did not get very much flour during the time I was there, except for house use.
9483. Where did he get his tea and groceries?-From Mackintosh & Co. Glasgow, and from Bremner & Grant, Aberdeen.
9484. Did you ever know of any of Mouat's men getting money at the settlement?-Yes; those who had it to get got it, the year I was there.
9485. Were they sometimes paid by receipts or lines?-I cannot say how they were paid. The men, as they came out of the place where they had been settling, spoke about being paid.
9486. But you don't know whether they got cash?-No; they might have got a cheque on the bank. I only saw the entry in the ledger, of cash being paid in full.
9487. Your department was merely to sell in the shop?-Yes; and I was oftener travelling. I travelled a good deal buying up stock for him.
9488. Where were your principal purchases of stock made?-In winter they were chiefly at the Walls Martinmas sale.