10,339. But you had no arrangement there except to get so much per cran for all the herrings you took?-That was all.
10,340. Were you running an account in the shop while the fishing was going on?-Yes.
10,341. Don't you think you would be better off to have your money paid down once a month or so, as the fish are delivered, and be able to pay for your purchases as you get them?-I don't know. I suppose the goods are all the same price, whether I pay for them when I get them or not.
10,342. Don't you think you would be able to buy your goods cheaper if you could pay for them at the time?-I don't know.
Baltasound, Unst, January 19, 1872, PETER SMITH, examined.
10,343. Are you a fisherman at Westing?-I was formerly a fisherman, but it is about twenty years ago since I gave it up. I am now curing fish for Messrs. Spence & Co. at Westing.
10,344. Do you cure by contract?-Yes. I get 10s. per ton of dry fish for my trouble.
10,345. Do you employ a number of beach boys and men in the curing?-Yes; about eight. They get fees varying from 30s. up to above
10,346. Do you keep a book in which you enter the payments you make to them?-No. I do not keep any book except a pass-book, in which I enter the fish that are delivered to me.
10,347. Are the wages of these boys paid by you?-Not wholly by me, but I pay them in part.