4703. Therefore the present system suits you as well as any other?-It does.
4704. You could not economize more, although you knew what you were to receive at the end of the year?-I don't see that I could.
4705. And you could not manage your money any better, although you had it in your hands, and could spend it in Lerwick, or in any other store, except that at Boddam?-I don't see that I could. I have not taken any meal from Mr. Bruce now for three years, but I have taken a good deal of things out of his stores.
4706. Have you got your meal from your own ground?-No. During the past season I had to buy very little; but since I came to the place I am now in, I have sometimes had to buy seven, and eight, and nine months' provisions, besides what my own labour upon my farm could yield.
4707. Where did you buy your meal then?-At that time I had some from Mr. Bruce, and some from other places.
4708. But I am talking of the last three years, when you did not buy any of it from Mr. Bruce?-I have had it from Lerwick, and also from a store at Sand Lodge. Lebidden is the name of the place where the store is.
4709. Whose store is that?-Thomas Tullochs's.
4710. Why did you buy it from these stores rather than from the store at Boddam?-Because I could get it cheaper; I would pay some money for it at these other stores.
4711. What did you get it for there?-I don't recollect the price.
4712. I suppose the price varied?-Yes.