4799. Is the quality of it as good as you could get at Hay & Co.'s?-The quality is good.
4800. Is there anything else you want to add to the statements of the other witnesses?-No.
Lerwick, January 9, 1872, THOMAS AITKEN, examined.
4801. You are a fisherman at Eastshore, in Dunrossness?-Yes.
4802. Are you a tenant of land under Mr. Bruce?-I am only tenant of a room, not of any land. I hold a house there.
4803. Are you bound in any way to fish for Mr. Bruce?-Yes; I signed an agreement to fish for him when he took the fishing in his own hand at Grutness, eleven or twelve years ago.
4804. Were you a landholder at that time?-No; but I was living in my father's house, and I was bound to fish for Mr. Bruce like the rest.
4805. What was the document you were asked to sign?-The general tenor of his statement was, that he was to give the current price, and I was bound to fish for him while I was living on his estate.
4806. Have you any objection to adhere to that bargain?-I am of the opinion that, if I had had my freedom, I might have made a little more from my fish than I have done.
4807. But would you not have your freedom simply by removing to another place?-Not in Dunrossness.