1054. Can your sons do as they like in that matter, and ship with any person they please?-Yes.
1055. Do they go to the Faroe fishing?-Yes.
1056. And you are not asked to pay liberty money for them now?-No.
1057. Is that because Messrs. Hay have ceased to require payment of liberty money?-Yes; they thought the thing was not legal, and they have given it up.
1058. Are your sons living in your house still?-One of them is, but the other one is married, and is away from me.
1059. And the one who is living with you goes to the Faroe fishing?-Yes.
1060. Have you ever cured fish for yourself?-No.
1061. Then you don't know from your own experience, [Page 22] whether you would have a larger profit if you did cure them on your own account?-No; not from my own experience.
1062. Except when you signed the document you have mentioned, was there any occasion on which you were told by any of the firm of Hay & Co. that you were bound to fish for them only?-I don't remember any other time.
Lerwick, January 2, 1872, THOMAS CHRISTIE, examined.