11,339. When you have a customer who fishes independently, or for another firm, and who runs an account in your book, he settles with you here?-Yes. He keeps an account with me, and I settle with him.
11,340. At what season of the year is that done?-It is generally at the end of the year, at the usual settling time in Shetland.
11,341. How many men of that description do you suppose there may be in your books,-men who either sell their own fish all the year round, or sell their fish to you cured?-There are very few of them.
11,342. Most of your customers are in the regular employment of Hay & Co.?-Yes.
11,343. And most of them, I suppose, including the Burra men, are bound by agreement for the year to deliver their fish to that firm?-They are not bound by agreement, so far as I know.
11,344. But they are engaged for the summer to fish for the firm, in the boats of Messrs. Hay?-They are.
11,345. The bulk of the accounts kept in your shop will be with such men?-Yes.
11,346. You were not asked to bring your books?-No.
11,347. Can you give me any idea of the amount of cash you pay to these few men with whom you settle here?-I could not give an exact account of it. I have bought about £100 worth of fish, ling and cod, since May last up to this date.
11,348. Are you the largest purchaser of fish in that way in Scalloway?-I could not say; there are other fish-buyers here.