5828. Has every fisherman the same liberty?-Every one, so far as I know, in this place.
5829. Even although he is in debt to the fish-curer?-No; in that case the fish-curer expects him to fish for him until his debt is paid. That is generally looked for, and in some instances I know that they had to agree to do it.
5830. Do you know that they wished to fish for another curer, but that they were obliged to fish to the man to whom they were in debt?-They did not wish to fish to another curer, but that fish-curer wished them to sign an agreement to fish to him for the rising season.
5831. Did they agree to do that?-Yes. They did not say anything about leaving the fish-curer, but only he wished them to agree.
5832. At what time of the year was that?-I have seen it done in the month of November, and also in December.
5833. Did the fish-curer ask them to do that at a time when they were wanting further advances of goods or money?-Yes, advances of money.
5834. And it was in order that he might have some security for these advances that he asked them to sign the agreement?-Yes.
5835. Is that a common thing?-I cannot say it is a common thing in my experience, but I have known it done in two or three different cases.
5836. Where was that?-At Hillswick.
5837. Have you known it done anywhere else?-No.