4550. Did you take a note of it at the time?-I took a note of the quantity at the time; but I did not know the price until settlement.
4551. Have you a pass-book at the store?-[Produces pass-book.] That is what I keep for myself. These [showing] are the entries for 1870, the year to which the account applies. When I knew the price of an article when I received it from the store, I put it down in ink; but I did not know the price of the meal, and I put it down in pencil when I came to settle.
4552. Here [showing] is half boll oatmeal, 11s?-Yes; and these are the ranging prices in Lerwick for the same year: March 1870, per boll oatmeal, 17s. 9d. May, 18s. 6d.; July, 20s.; August, 21s.
4553. Where did you get these?-I got them from a merchant in Lerwick this morning, Mr. John Robertson, sen. The note containing them is in his own handwriting.
4554. Did he refer to his books before telling you what the prices were?-Yes, he turned up his accounts for that year.
4555. And these are the prices at which he told you he sold meal here?-Yes.
4556. For cash or for credit?-I cannot say.
4557. Have you ever been directed by Mr. Bruce or Mr. Irvine to look after men who were supposed to be selling their fish to other curers?-I have.
4558. You shake your head in a very serious way at that: did you not like the job?-I did not.
4559. When was it that you were told to do that?-At last settlement.