7213. Is that paid to them in cash?-They are at liberty to take cash, or to buy goods, or do anything they like; but we never leave these transactions unsettled.
7214. In point of fact, is it generally cash that passes, or do the men take what goods they want at the shop?-In many cases, I think in most cases, if the fishing is small, perhaps they want as much, or pretty near the value, when they come ashore, out of the shop in goods for their houses; but if they have been having a few days' successful fishing, then they take the cash when they don't require the goods. They are not asked to take the goods; and they are not required to do it in any way.
7215. Are they bound to sell these fish to you in the same way as their summer fish?-I think that is understood; but there have been many exceptions that I have known.
7216. Are there more exceptions in the case of this small-boat fishing than of the summer fishing?-I think so.
7217. Have you any note or book here, showing the amount of the transactions with regard to this small-boat fishing?-No. I have offered the men, when they came ashore, to pay them for their haul, and then they could go where they liked with the money; but they said, 'What is the use of doing that?-We want so-and-so from the shop, and we would just have to give the money back again.'
7218. How is it ascertained at the shop what amount the men have to get in goods for their fish? Do you take a note of it at the time?-Yes; and I enter it in the fish book.
7219. And from that note you know how much the man has to receive in goods?-Yes; or how much he has to receive in cash.
7220. But he takes the goods if he chooses to go to the shop at the time?-Yes.
7221. What amount of transactions of that kind may there be in the course of a year?-Last year I think it was only about £56.
7222. Was that the whole value of the fish so purchased?-Yes; but I think in some years since I came there it has been over £100.