11,926. Then you might employ perhaps thirty men and boys altogether?-Yes.
11,927. Would one half of these men not be tenants at all?-Most of them were tenants of Mr. Bruce.
11,928. Were they under any obligation to fish for you?-No.
11,929. Could they have engaged with any other person if they had liked?-Yes.
11,930. Have you objected to pay the rent for any one of these men when he was considerably in your debt?-No. If I paid for one, I paid for all. I have paid rent for a man who was between £20 and £30 in my debt.
11,931. Does the landlord give you any return for these advances which you make to him?-No.
11,932. Is it not a considerable advantage to him to have his rent made secure in that way?-There is no doubt about it.
11,933. But don't you get anything from him even in the shape of a favour?-No; I never asked it, and never got it.
11,934. Have you any fishing station on Mr. Bruce's property?- No. The fishermen on the island of Havera cure their fish in the island, and that is on his property, but I have no concern with anything else.
11,935. Do they cure their fish themselves, and sell them to you?-They cure them on the island, and send them to Scalloway, and I sell them for them.