16,368. Does your wife get cash from Mr. Leask when she wants it?-Yes.
16,369. How much does she generally get?-I don't know.
16,370. Did she ever get 5s. at a time?-Perhaps she got the whole half-pay at a time if she wanted it, or the half of it.
16,371. Was that if she wanted it for any particular purpose, such as for paying rent?-Yes, or any necessary thing.
16,372. But it was only for a necessary purpose that she got it?-I suppose so.
16,373. Is it generally understood among the men in the whaling, that they ought to deal with the agent who engages them for a voyage?-No. We can deal with any person we like.
16,374. But don't they always deal with the agent who engages them, taking their outfit and their supplies for home from him?- Yes.
16,375. Do you think that if a man did not deal with the agent he would be as likely to get a berth next year as if he had kept an account with him?-Just the same; I never found any difference.
16,376. But did you ever go to another agent for your supplies than the one who had engaged you?-No, not in that particular season; but I have changed agents occasionally.
16,377. How long is it since you were engaged by another agent than Mr. Leask?-Two years. I changed from Laurenson & Co. to Mr. Leask then.