Scalloway, January 22, 1872, JOHN THOMSON, examined.
11,699. You are a shopkeeper and grocer at Sandsound in the parish of Sandsting?-Yes, in a small way.
11,700. How far is that from here?-About 10 miles when we go by land, but it is a little shorter when we go by boat.
11,701. On whose property is your shop?-On the property of Mr. Greig of Reawick, and Mr. Umphray is trustee for it.
11,702. How far are you from Reawick?-About 3 miles.
11,703. Do you do anything in the fishing?-A little. I buy fish in winter and spring, but not in summer. I don't have the chance of buying any in summer. The place is a little inland, and there is not much fishing carried on there, except in bad weather in winter and spring when the men go to fish in the bays.
11,704. Do you cure the fish yourself?-Yes.
11,705. How much may you buy in the course of a winter and spring?-In some years I have bought as much as nearly 7 tons of dry fish, cod and ling, and in other years as low as 2 tons.
11,706. Do you settle with the men for these fish when they are delivered to you?-Yes.
11,707. Do they take the price in money or in goods?-I give them money unless they want goods, but if they want goods they get them.