6707. Is there any difficulty or any obstruction placed in the way of small shopkeepers getting premises and carrying on their business in this district?-There seems not to have been any lately. When I took a lease of Hillswick, I thought I had an understanding that Mr. Cheyne was not to put up other places of business in the district, but there was no sort of agreement about it and that understanding has not been acted upon.
6708. Do you refer to shops or fish-curing establishments?-Not fish-curing establishments; there is no restriction upon them.
6709. Any person may set up a business of that sort?-I think so.
6710. You have been present and heard the whole of the evidence that has been given to-day: is there any part of it with regard to which you wish to make any statement or contradiction?-There is nothing that I am aware of.
6711. Are you an agent for the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society?-I am.
6712. Do most of your fishermen subscribe to that society?-A good many of them do.
6713. Is their annual subscription debited to them in their account?-Yes, very frequently.
6714. When they have anything to get from the society, how is that payment settled with them?-That I daresay depends very much upon their own wishes.
6715. Does it depend to any extent on the fact, whether or not they are indebted to you at the time?-I don't think it does generally.
6716. But it may sometimes?-It may sometimes.