3299. Then the prices of these shawls are fixed afterwards?-Yes.
3300. How do you know that the prices which are charged for these shawls are the same as have been paid for them over the counter?-Because I have seen haps sold at the counter for 8s. 6d.; and afterwards, [Page 74] when they were ready for the market, they were charged at the same, or nearly the same, price.
3301. Don't you sometimes see them charged at a higher price?-I cannot say exactly, because I do not always notice what the prices are; but I know that I have sometimes seen the same prices charged. I have noticed that particularly in haps.
3302. There are grey and brown long shawls, 20s. to 24s. are these also haps?-Yes.
3303. Are they generally bought at from 20s. to 24s.?-Yes.
3304. And sold at the same prices?-Yes, I have noticed that.
3305. You have nothing to do with the pricing of them yourself?- Nothing at all. I merely see the tickets, and recognise the article. Perhaps there was something particular about it which led me to recognise it.
3306. How often has that happened?-I could not say.
3307. Has it happened a dozen times?-It has surely happened more than a dozen times. That is a very small number.
Lerwick, January 6, 1872, JOHN JAMES BRUCE, examined.