7692. Was it with Mr. Gifford this conversation took place?-Yes.
7693. Was it implied that they had some reason for not interfering with Mr. Anderson's business?-Yes; at least the reason he gave was not so much that it would interfere with Mr. Anderson's business, as that it would bring down the rent of Hillswick, and would not advance the property anything.
7694. Do you mean that if you were to open a shop there, the necessary result would be that Mr. Anderson would require to have his rent reduced?-Yes; that is likely to have been what was meant.
7695. How long after that was it when you got permission to open your present shop?-I don't know exactly how long it was. Perhaps it may have been a month or two after it was spoken of first. I then got [Page 188] liberty to cure the fish and keep provisions for the men I employed; that was all.
7696. But only for the men you employed?-That was all the liberty I got.
7697. Are you not allowed to sell to anybody except the people you employ?-I never asked any more liberty than that.
7698. When you first went to ask for that permission, had you made arrangements to cure fish for Mr. Adie?-No.
7699. Had you made the arrangement by the second time you went?-Yes.
7700. Did you say to Mr. Gifford, when you went the second time, that you had made such an arrangement?-Yes; I told him I had got the offer of fish to cure.
7701. Was he more ready to grant your application on that occasion?-Yes. He said I could take the work.