16,302 You knew you were due it to Mr. Tait but did you know that it had been transferred to Mr. Leask until you found it in the book?-No; I did not know that until then.
16,303. Were you surprised to find it charged in Mr. Leask's books against you?-No; I was not surprised at all.
16,304. Did you expect to find it there?-No, not exactly; but of course I would have paid it if I had been able.
16,305. Did that happen to you more than once?-No; only once, to my recollection, in that way.
16,306. Did it ever happen to you in any other way-It happened once in this way: that I supposed I was due an account to Mr. Leask in one year, and I found the account standing in his books against me next year.
16,307. Did you change your agent that year?-No.
16,308. How long is it since your account with Mr. Tait was transferred to Mr. Leask?-I cannot say exactly, but I think it will be more than twelve years ago.
16,309. Have you never had a balance against you since at settlement?-No.
Lerwick, February 5, 1872, ROSS GEORGESON, examined.
16,310. Are you a seaman living at Scalloway?-Yes; I am skipper of a Faroe smack.