8706. If you could manage that, you would not run into the merchant's debt at all, but you would have all your cash to get at settlement?-Yes, if we had as much as would once clear us off.
8707. Can you not manage to do that?-No. I have a small family, and there is a great quantity of bread to buy, and clothes and everything. I have nothing but what I can earn by the fishing.
8708. What kind of bread do you buy?-Oatmeal and flour.
8709. Are there many men who are in debt at Mossbank in the same way as you?-I believe there are a few, but I cannot say.
8710. Do you want to go to fish for any other merchant?-No; I don't see any good that that would do to me.
8711. Is there anything else you wish to say?-Nothing.
8712. Was there anything else you wanted to say when you came here?-No.
Brae, January 13, 1872, PETER BLANCH, recalled.
8713. Do you wish to add anything to your former evidence?- About the cost of fish-curing, I said I was not speaking exactly from my own experience with regard to the sum paid, but I know that we have never used more than a ton of salt to a ton of fish on the average. I wish also to say that I have been told more than once by parties who have cured fish for Mr. Adie and others, that they only paid 12s. per ton of fish for the labour of curing. I also say that I have paid 1s. for landing salt at Lerwick, and nothing more, and I allow 2s. for wastage. These are things which Mr. William Adie thought I had no doubt exaggerated, but I am conscious of the fact that I told nothing but the truth.
8714. Was 12s. per ton a price which was paid under contract?- Yes.