14,159. And they would either return to the old system, or to some one under which the curing of the fish would be equally good. The men would not be content permanently to take a lower price?-They might be obliged to take a lower price, although they did not know it.
14,160. But I have been told today that the Shetland people are a very intelligent class, and they would surely have intelligence enough to discover that they were getting a lower price than they might get for their produce?-Some of them are intelligent, and no doubt they would discover that.
Lerwick, January 27, 1872, ANDREW B. JAMIESON, examined.
14,161. Are you a clerk in the employment of Mr. Leask?-I am.
14,162. How long have you been in his service?-About nineteen years.
14,163. Have you been principally concerned with the engagement and settling with seamen employed in the Greenland whale fishing?-Principally, of late, since the settlement at the Custom House was commenced. That was five years ago.
14,164. Were you not employed in that way before?-Yes; not altogether, but along with others.
14,165. Before that time, the accounts of the men, I understand, were always settled at Mr. Leask's office?-Always.
14,166. And the men were paid merely the balance in cash?- They were paid the balance, but they had to get cash during the currency of their account besides that. They always got advances of cash in the course of the year if they wanted them.
14,167. The balance that was paid to them at the end in cash was the settlement for their wages and their first payment of oil-money?-Yes.