9605. You think they have not so good boats here?-They have not, but they work them wonderfully, and they sometimes frighten me when I come across them.
9606. Have you any idea why it is that these men come to you for credit instead of going to the merchants to whom they sell their fish?-Of course they cannot all deal in one place.
9607. But would they not get their credit much easier from the merchant who is to receive their fish?-They might get it from him, but perhaps they might have the same reason that the man had when he was courting; one man might like me whilst others might not. They might take fancies of that kind.
9608. Do you sell your goods at a lower price than the large merchants?-I cannot say I do. I sell as low as I can, and if I was not selling reasonably low I could not carry on at all.
Mid Yell, January 17, 1872, GEORGE WILLIAMSON examined.
9609. You are a fisherman at Mid Yell?-Yes. I go to the whaling and sealing.
9610. You hold a bit of land here?-Yes.
9611. Do you also go to the ling fishing?-Yes, when I am at home any time; but I generally go to the whaling.
9612. Do you go to Lerwick for an engagement?-Yes. I generally engage through Messrs. Hay.
9613. Do you get your month's wages in advance?-Yes; it is paid down in cash at the Custom House.