15,544. Does not a man go and pay the agent first, whether he has other people wanting his money or not?-As a rule, they go and pay the agent first.
15,545. Have you heard any of the men complain that they had to pay the agents in preference to other accounts which they wished to settle?-No.
Lerwick, January 30, 1872, PETER HALCROW, examined.
15,546. Are you a seaman?-Yes.
15,547. Have you gone on sealing and whaling voyages for some years back?-Yes, for nine years.
15,548. What agents in Lerwick have you been engaged by?-The whole of them.
15,549. Did you always get your outfit from the agent you engaged with?-Yes, the most part of it.
15,550. And you settled your account with him at the end of the year?-Yes.
15,551. Had you always a balance to receive in money?- Generally. Once I had not; that was in my second year.
15,552. Have you always got any money that was due to you paid in cash?-No.