8687. Do you get any money at settlement?-Yes, I get my rent.
8688. Who do you pay your rent to?-Mr. John Robertson. I live on the Lunna estate; Sheriff Bell is the proprietor.
8689. Do you get any more money from Pole, Hoseason, & Co., besides your rent?-No more money, as I don't have it to get.
8690. Is that because you are in debt?-Yes.
8691. How far are you behind?-I was behind £3 at the last settlement, but I have been as much behind as £13.
8692. Are you always behind in your accounts?-Yes.
8693. And you always go to fish for Pole, Hoseason, & Co., in the hope of paying them off?-Yes.
8694. Are you at liberty to fish for any other merchant?-No.
8695. Why?-Because I am in debt, and I cannot pay my debt, therefore I am obliged to fish for Mr. Pole.
8696. If you were to go to fish for another merchant and get paid by him in money, could you not pay off your debt to Pole, Hoseason, & Co.?-I might, but I don't see what good that would do. I get the same price for my fish from Mr. Pole as I would get from any other body.