15,313. Do you think the fact of your having a pretty large account had anything to do with your always getting a berth?-I don't think it. Sometimes I would have a good account with one agent, and go to another agent and get a ship from him.
15,314. Did you not always take your supplies principally from the agent with whom you were engaging for the year?-Yes, principally.
15,315. You were five years with Mr. Tait; that would be down to 1866: who did you go to then?-I went back to Mr. Leask.
15,316. Have you been engaged with him ever since?-No; I was with Mr. Tulloch in 1868.
15,317. Why did you leave Mr. Leask at that time?-I don't know. The ship was not in that I was going with, and I just shipped in another one.
15,318. Did you take your supplies from Mr. Tulloch that year?- Yes, whatever small things I wanted.
15,319. Had you been quite clear with Mr. Leask the year before, and got payment of your balance in money?-Yes. I got paid in the Custom House that year.
15,320. Was the amount of your account at Mr. Leask's shop deducted when they paid you at the Custom House?-Yes.
15,321. Then it was merely the balance that was paid to you there?-No; I got the full amount, and paid them back.
15,322. Did you go down to the shop and pay them back there?- Yes.