10,510. Did you get a discount for cash?-Yes.
10,511. Can you tell me the cash price and the credit price for meal?-Not exactly; but I know that if I was buying a boll of meal for cash, I would get it 1s. 6d. or 2s. cheaper than if I was having it marked down for a twelvemonth. I have also got cotton 1/2d. or 1d. per yard cheaper when paying for it in cash than if it had been marked down. If I had cash to the amount of £20 in the course of a year, I am certain I could save £2 upon it at any rate.
10,512. If you were paid for your fish every month as they were delivered, do you think you would be able to pay in cash, and so pay off your debt?-I think I would, if there were good fishing years.
10,513. If you had a bad season again, where would you get your supplies?-We are not to be looking for bad seasons always.
10,514. Nor for good seasons always?-No.
10,515. You have had several good seasons now, have you not?- Yes.
10,516. How do you sell your winter and spring fish?-We can get cash or goods for them.
10,517. How much will you make for your winter and spring fish in an ordinary year: may it be £4 or £5?-Sometimes it may be as much as that, but not generally.
10,518. Could you not make more if you had larger boats?-We have never tried that; but I don't think it.
Baltasound, Unst, January 19, 1872, JAMES HAY, examined.