733. But your complaint is, that you are much more strictly bound now?-Yes; there was no obligation for a man to clear his debt with any merchant before now. 734. Was there then any obligation to purchase at that merchant's store?-None. 735. Except that perhaps they would not get credit elsewhere?- Exactly. 736. In those times did the men get advances in money during the season when they asked them?-Yes. 737. But you still get that?-Yes, we get that still, of course. 738. If you choose, you can get your provisions elsewhere; and if you choose to get them elsewhere, you will get all your money at the end of the season?-Yes, if we had any over; but if we had no money over, of course the merchant from whom we had to get our goods would have to want. Lerwick, January 2, 1872, LAURENCE LESLIE, examined. 739. You are now a fisherman in Lerwick?-Yes. 740. You formerly lived at Dunrossness?-Yes. 741. And you had a piece of ground from Mr. Bruce of Sumburgh?-Yes. 742. You have been present during the examination of the previous witness, and heard the whole of his examination?-Yes. 743. Do you concur in that part of it which referred to yourself with regard to the quantity of fish you got last season?-I do. 744. What may be the total price you got for your cured fish?-We had three different kinds of fish-saith, cod, and ling. We got 12s. per cwt. for saith, I think 18s. for cod, and 20s. for ling, dried. 745. The quantity which you had to sell was the same when weighed green as that which Laurence Mail delivered to Mr. Bruce?-Of course. 746. You lived in Dunrossness for a number of years?-Yes. 747. Do you concur with the rest of the evidence which Laurence Mail gave?-I do. 748. It was all correct?-Yes. 749. Do you know a man named William Brown at Millpond?- Yes. 750. Was he a fisherman?-Yes. 751. How far did he live from your place?-I think about two miles. 752. Do you know whether at any time lately he and some other old men went fishing on their own account, and were obliged to pay liberty money?-Yes; he stated that he had been applied to for payment of liberty money. 753. How long ago was that?-I think it was three years ago. 754. Is Brown an old man?-Yes; perhaps between fifty and sixty. 755. Would he be able to come to Lerwick?-He might. 756. Would it not be rather hard for a man of his age to come this length?-I think it would be rather hard; but I think he could come. 757. To whom had he to pay that liberty money?-To Mr. Grierson of Quendale, his landlord. 758. Is Mr. Grierson a fish-merchant too?-Yes. 759. Do you know James Williamson at Berlin, Dunrossness?- Yes. 760. Is he on Mr. Grierson's land?-Yes. 761. Do you know anything about a boy of his who had gone out to service with a neighbouring farmer lately?-I know that he has a boy, but I cannot say anything about him going to service. I don't think Williamson could come here; he is in ill health at present.