10,377. And out of that balance you have to pay any balances that are due to the beach boys?-Yes.
10,378. How much money will you require to get at the end of the season, in order to settle with your beach boys?-Generally the money which the beach boys get from me is paid to them during the season.
10,379. When do you settle at the shop?-In December or January. I have not settled yet for last year.
10,380. Therefore you have not settled with the beach boys?-All the beach boys are all settled with in November.
10,381. How much money did you require last November in order to settle with them?-It is Mr. Sandison who settles with them at the end of the season, and I don't know how much money they had to get.
10,382. Do you generally have the same beach boys for some years in succession?-Yes. I have had some for six years, and some for shorter periods.
10,383. What proportion of your payment for curing do you get in money? Do you get most of it at the end of the season?- Sometimes. In some years we have to buy a good deal of meal and other things; but in a year such as the present, when we have had a good crop, I get the most of it in money. Besides, I can get money any time when I ask for it. I have never been refused it within the last twenty years.
Baltasound, Unst, January 19, 1872, JAMES HARPER, examined.
10,384. You are a fisherman to Messrs. Spence & Co. at Haroldswick?-Yes. I fish at Norwick, but the books are at Haroldswick.
10,385. Have you a bit of land from Spence & Co?-Yes.