12,769. Do you think the Skerries boats generally had a smaller number of cwts. than the mainland boats?-In general they had more.
12,770. Was that because they lost less time in coming and going to the fishing?-Yes. The Skerries men had the advantage of Friday afternoon and Saturday above the Lunnasting men, who went home at the end of every week on the Friday afternoon, and did not return until Monday about twelve o'clock.
12,771. You had thus a longer time at the fishing than the Lunnasting men. How do you account for it that you had not one-third more fish than they?-I just account for it by chance or fortune.
Lerwick, January 24, 1872, DAVID ANDERSON, examined.
12,772. Are you a fisherman in Skerries?-I am. I have been there since I was a child.
12,773. Do you hold a bit of land?-Yes.
12,774. Do you consider yourself bound to fish for Mr. Adie?- Yes, the same as any other.
12,775. Were you told so?-I was not; but my father was when he signed his agreement for the land, about twenty years ago. I have the half of the farm with him.
12,776. Have you ever been fined or found fault with for fishing to another, or for selling the produce of your farm to any one else than Mr. Adie?-Never.
12,777. I suppose there has been no occasion to do so?-No.