4403. You do not know that from your own experience?-No.
4404. Is it usual for beach boys to have got more goods supplied to them during the season than the amount of their wages at settlement?-I can say nothing about that.
4405. Have you had anything to do with taking whales on the coast?-Yes, with driving whales ashore.
4406. Have the fishermen in your quarter anything to complain of about that?-When we get the whales flinched, and the blubber brought up above high water mark, it is sold, and the third part of the money is taken by the proprietor.
4407. Do you think the fishermen are entitled to get the whole?- We think so.
4408. Who sells the oil?-There is a note sent up to Lerwick to publish the sale. An auctioneer comes down and it is generally sold on the spot, and the third part of the money is deducted.
4409. Who receives the money in the first instance? Is it the auctioneer?-I don't know; but I should say it is the landlord.
4410. He accounts to the fishermen who are interested for their share of the proceeds?-Yes.
4411. Is there any obligation to spend the money you get on these occasions in the landlord's store?-No.
4412. You can do as you like with it?-Yes.