10,500. You are a fisherman at Haroldswick, and you have fished for some years for Spence & Co?-Yes.
10,501. You have been running accounts with them: during that period, and taking your supplies from them?-Yes; the whole or nearly the whole of my supplies.
10,502. Before that where did you get your supplies?-I had more money to work upon then, and I got my supplies from John Johnston and from Mr. Mouat at Baltasound, and sometimes from Mr. Spence.
10 503 Did you pay them generally in cash?-Yes.
10,504. How does it happen that you have not been paying in cash during the last four years?-Because have a small family, and I have more responsibility.
10,505. Your expenses have been increased, and have not the cash in hand?-Yes.
10,506. Was it for that reason that you were obliged to run accounts at the shop at Haroldswick?-Yes.
10,507. Do you think you are as well served in respect of quality and price of goods as you were formerly?-I get the same quality of goods, but not at the same price. If I were taking cloth or cotton, or any other [Page 255] kind of goods, and paying cash for them, I would get them 2s. 6d. per £ cheaper than if I were having them marked down for a twelvemonth.
10,508. Have you tried both ways within the last two years, to any great extent?-I have not paid cash to any great extent within that time.
10,509. But you have bought perhaps £2 or £3 worth in the course of the year?-Yes.