13,026. How many boats do you employ?-I had about twenty last summer.
13,027. What did you pay for you fish then?-8s. 9d., and I understand the current price of the country has been 8s.
13,028. Have you paid 9d. more than the currency?-Yes, on ling.
13,029. Did you pay as much higher a price for cod and tusk?- No. We paid 7s. for cod and tusk, and I understand the current price of the country has been 6s. 6d. We paid 4s. 3d. for saith, and I understand the current price has been 4s.
13,030. Do you generally pay as much above the current price as you have done last year?-No, not as general thing.
13,031. Can you assign any reason for your price this year being so much higher?-No, I cannot assign any particular reason.
13,032. Is it not in order that you may get as many fishermen as you require?-The great reason is to try to please the fishermen as far as possible; and in our quarter they are very bad to please.
13,033. Why do you want to please them?-To get them to fish for us. We are anxious to have as many fishermen as possible. There is one thing which enables Mr. Tulloch and I to pay somewhat higher prices than the currency; which is, that our curing places are very near to ourselves, and we can always see the curing carried on, and can cure cheaper.
13,034. Do any of the fishermen in your district cure for themselves?-Yes.
13,035. Do you buy from them?-Sometimes. They sell to us if they choose.