766. Have you signed any obligation to that effect?-I was asked to sign an obligation to that effect; but I said I could not sign to bind my sons, and that I would on no account come under that obligation.
767. How long ago was that?-To the best of my recollection, it was about eight years ago.
768. Was there an agreement to that effect handed to you for signature?-Yes.
769. And to a number of other men at the same time?-Yes.
770. By whom was it handed to you?-By Mr. Wm. Irvine, who is a partner of the firm of Hay & Co.
771. Was that in Burra or here?-It was in Messrs. Hay & Co.'s office in Lerwick.
772. Was it handed to the other men at the same time?-It was offered to them at the same time that it [Page 16] was offered to me. A certain number of them were present at the time.
773. How many?-I should think there might have been five present, exclusive of myself.
774. Did they all sign it?-I cannot say that they did, for I went out and left them there.
775. Then you are under no written obligation to fish for your landlord?-No.