9518. Have you engaged your boats for next year?-Of course it was understood when I bought my new boats last year, that the men would continue to fish for me; and this year they have not said anything against continuing to fish.
9519. Therefore you will have the same two boats' crews of Mrs. Budge's tenants?-I hope so.
9520. It was an understanding between you and Mr. Sievwright when you took the premises that these men were to fish for you?- Yes.
9521. Was that understanding put into writing?-No.
9522. Have you any lease of the premises?-No. I have them taken from year to year.
9523. But it was understood in conversation between you and Mr. Sievwright that the men should fish for you?-Yes, that the men should fish on the same terms to me as they would to another person; but still I don't want any of the men who do not come to me voluntarily.
9524. Still you had no objection to the landlord bidding them fish for you?-None whatever.
9525. Were you aware of the letter being written which has been produced to-day?-Yes. I did not see it before it was sent, but I saw it in the hands of the man who produced it.
9526. Did you know it was to be written?-No. I did not know whether Mr. Sievwright was to ask them or to write to them.
9527. But it was quite understood between you and Mr. Sievwright that there was such an arrangement?-Yes, of course I spoke to Mr. Sievwright about it.