8715. Who are the parties who told you about that?-Arthur Harrison was the last one I spoke to. I landed fish to be cured by him, and he told me so. There was another man who told me the same thing about five years ago, John Henry, Sandsting, in Walls. With regard to the price paid for lines, I wish also to say that we have to furnish our own lines in the Faroe fishing. You were asking me if I thought there was a possibility of our bettering ourselves. I thought there was, and that was one of the ways in which I thought we might do so. I have always thought that the owner, when he provided a vessel, ought also to provide the material for the catching of the fish; but instead of that we have to provide our own lines, and supply other lines if we happen to lose them, at a very dear price. We 21/2 lines for each man, and we pay 2s. 6d. for what I know the merchants buy at 2s. or 1s. 6d.
8716. Could you not buy your lines at another shop if you chose?-Yes; we could do that.
8717. Is it part of the arrangement that you are to take these lines from the owner of the vessel?-I don't know that it is part of the arrangement, but I don't think they would like it very well if we went to another; still I don't know that we would be prevented.
8718. Do not the men sometimes hire the lines?-No; never in my experience in the Faroe fishing.
Brae, January 13, 1872, JOHN NICHOLSON, examined.
8719. Where do you come from?-North Delting.
8720. Who do you fish for?-Messrs Pole, Hoseason, & Co.
8721. Have you heard the evidence of Charles Nicholson?-Yes; and I would like to say about the price of our fish, that I don't think it is very right that the men should have to go to the fishing at the beginning of the season, and don't know what they are to get until they come to settle.
8722. Do you think you ought to have your price fixed at the beginning of the season?-Yes.
8723. Have you ever asked for that?-No; we have never asked for it.