7372. Before you left Ollaberry you had not been in business for yourself, but you were merely manager for Anderson or Anderson & Co.?-The firm was Anderson Brothers & Laurenson, and I was a member of that firm.
7373. Before you left the firm, did that understanding which you have described exist among the fishing curers in this neighbourhood?-Yes.
7374. In your experience, was it generally acted upon?-I think it was. I may mention that I did not have to do with the fishermen in the summer season, while I managed the business at Ollaberry for seven years. I had only to do with the winter fishing. In the summer they fished for Hillswick, and I had nothing further than ordinary transactions with the fishermen then. It was chiefly the hosiery trade and the winter fishing that I knew about.
7375. But you were, to some extent, acquainted with the transactions which took place in the summer fishing?-Yes.
7376. And in describing this understanding, you are speaking from your general knowledge of the system pursued?-Yes.
7377. With what merchants, in this part of Shetland, did that understanding exist, and was acted upon? Did it extend to Messrs. Hay at North Roe; you have mentioned an instance in which it was acted upon with them?-That was in my own experience since.
7378. But did the understanding extend to them at that time?- Messrs. Hay & Co. had not a station there then: it was another firm.
7379. To whom did that understanding extend?-To Messrs. Adie, Mr. Inkster at Brae and to the firm of Anderson at Hillswick.
7380. Did it extend to the Mossbank people?-I cannot say. The fishermen were not very likely to remove from here to Mossbank, or from Mossbank to here.
7381. Did it extend to fishing stations in Yell?-I don't think so.