15,620. I thought you said the system of putting you off in that way, and of giving you £1 or 10s. at a time, continued till about five or six years ago?-Sometimes it did, and sometimes not. Some years I never got a fair account, and in other years I did.
15,621. But you always got a fair account from Messrs. Hay?- Yes.
15,622. And from Mr. Leask?-Yes.
15,623. And from Mr. Tait and Mr. Tulloch?-Yes.
15,624. What agents were there besides these, five or six years ago?-It is far longer than five or six years since I was put off in that way, and did not get the settlement when I wanted it.
15,625. Will it be ten years since you asked for your money and did not get it?-It will be ten years, or above that.
15,626. Will it be fifteen or twenty years ago?-It will be from fifteen to twenty years.
15,627. Are you a harpooneer or a boat-steerer?-I am a boat-steerer.
15,628. Did you hear the evidence of Francis Gifford?-Yes.
15,629. Do you think he was generally correct in what he said?- Yes. I know quite well that men who were in debt to the agent could get a ship sooner than I could, who was clear with them.