15,110. Are the fishermen aware that such security is given and that they can get advances at these shops?-Yes. Of course I speak to one of Mr. Leask's men, and tell him that they are not to advance the men beyond a certain amount, for fear of them going over the line.
15,111. Do you get no commission upon their transactions at these shops?-Not one farthing.
15,112. Do the fishermen in the Faroe trade require any exhibition of the bills of sale?-I do not know. I never was asked to exhibit my bills of sale; but they know exactly what the prices are. There are people going back and forward to Leith who know exactly what we get.
15,113. Are the fish sold by public sale in Leith?-No.
15,114. Are they sold by commission agents there?-We have often to sell them direct. It is a miserable thing to put them into a commission agent's hands. We try to make the best bargain we can with the middle-men from Glasgow or Belfast.
15,115. Is there a traveller who comes round and purchases the fish in Shetland?-They very often come round for that purpose.
Lerwick, January 30, 1872, WILLIAM SIEVWRIGHT, examined.
15,116. You are a solicitor in Lerwick?-I am.
15,117. Do you act as factor on the property of Mrs. Budge, Seafield?-Yes; I have been so for about two years, or something like that.
15,118. [Shown letter from witness to William Stewart, Kirkabister, dated 22d November 1870, quoted in Stewart's evidence, question 8917]-Did you write that letter?-Yes.