3182. You pay for it generally in cash: how do you account for that deviation from your general practice in Shetland?-We buy a good lot of it from merchants, and there are a good many old women who spin for a living, who we think require the cash. There is also such a demand for it that we are very glad to get it for cash, when the market is generally overstocked with everything else.
3183. Is there much Shetland wool sold in the southern markets?-No; we only send very small quantities of it south, for darning purposes.
3184. Are you aware whether there are merchants in Shetland, either in Lerwick or in the country, who send Shetland wool to the southern markets?-I know it has been sent from Yell.
3185. To a large extent?-No; it is not produced to a large extent. All that is produced in Shetland is very trifling.
3186. How did it happen to be sent from Yell?-Because a hosiery merchant in the south, who was selling their goods, got an order for worsted, and it was sent to him. I only know or that one instance.
3187. Was it sent by a proprietor?-I am not sure. It was Mr. Pole of Greenbank who sent it. I rather think his father is proprietor of Greenbank. Mr. Pole is now at Mossbank.
3188. What is the cost per pound of that worsted which sells at 3d. per cut?-Ordinary good 3d. worsted should be about 20s. a pound.
3189. Therefore it is not so dear as the English worsted?-It is much dearer.
3190. But there is some of the English worsted high as 32s. a pound?-Yes; but we have bought Shetland wool at 96s.
3191. Is that the finest quality of Shetland worsted?-Yes