15,255. Do the men at settlement see, or desire to see, the bills of sale?-They have never done so in any case.
15,256. Do they sometimes complain that they did not see them, or make any complaints about the price of the fish?-They are always grumbling; but they never made any direct complaint to me on the subject. In order to save a good deal of that trouble, the North Sea Fishing Co. have produced their accounts, but very frequently they have begun to settle with their fishermen at the currency before the accounts were ready.
15,257. Do the company produce their bills of sale to the men?- They are bound to do it if the men call for them.
15,258. Are you connected with that company?-I am a director of it. Mr. Irvine, of Hay & Co., is the agent.
15,259. Do you know whether, in point of fact, the fishermen generally see the bills of sale of that company?-I cannot tell. That is a matter which is left in the hands of Mr. Irvine.
15,260. Are the men frequently in debt to you at the commencement of the fishing season?-No. There were some men who left me in debt last year, and they have gone elsewhere,-I don't know where. In fact I would rather get clear of a man who is in debt, and take my chance of getting my debt from him afterwards, than employ him again, unless he was a very good man.
Lerwick, January 30, 1872, JAMES COUTTS, examined.
15,261. Are you a provision merchant in Lerwick?-I am. I have been in business for eleven years.
15,262. Do you deal in anything else but provisions?-Nothing of any consequence. Sometimes I get a little cottons, or small wares as we call them.
15,263. Do you sometimes purchase soft goods over the counter?-I used to do it; but I have not done so for the last twelve or eighteen months.