965. Is it from your experience in Havera, as compared with your experience in Burra, that you believe you would be 2s. or 3s. per cwt. better off by curing the fish for yourselves?-That is from my experience in Havera, and also from my experience in Burra. 966. But you have had no experience of selling your own fish cured for at least thirteen years?-Not cured; but I have had a little experience in half-cured fish since that time. 967. Have you sold fish half-cured?-Yes; I have sold a little this year. 968. Were these small fish?-Yes. 969. Did you make more of them than you would have done by delivering them to the merchant?-I did. 970. Was any objection taken by Messrs. Hay to your selling the fish in that way?-I must tell the truth: we did smuggle a few. We would not like them to know of it, but I suppose they will know of it by and by. 971. Is there much smuggling carried on in that way among the fishermen?-I believe it is done on a very small scale. 972. But the restrictions you are under do induce you to smuggle occasionally, in order to get a larger price?-Yes; and on some occasions, in order to get the ready money. 973. Do you not always get ready money for smuggled fish?-We can get it now. 974. From people in Scalloway?-Yes; but if had our liberty like Englishmen, we would have no need to smuggle. 975. Is there anything more you want to say about the matters referred to in your letter?-I think I have said all I wish to say, only that our errand in here has been undertaken under the protection of you, as a commissioner from Her Majesty's Government, who can give us our liberty; and if it had not been on that account we would not have come. Lerwick, January 2, 1872, PETER SMITH, examined. 976. You are a fisherman in Burra?-Yes. 977. You hold some land in that island under Messrs Hay, and you fish for them in the home fishing?-Yes. 978. Do you go to the Faroe fishing also?-No; I never went there. 979. You have been present during the examination of Walter Williamson?-Yes. 980. Do you concur generally in what you have heard him say?- Yes. 981. You have been engaged in the herring fishery also?-Yes. 982. And you were one of the parties who signed memorial to the trustee on the estate of Scalloway some years ago?-Yes. 983. Can you remember how long it is since that petition was got up?-I cannot exactly say, but think it was eight years ago. 984. Was it shortly after you were asked to sign the obligation which Williamson mentioned?-Yes. 985. Do you remember the grievances that were set forth in the memorial?-Were they the same things that you are complaining of now, or was there anything additional?-There was nothing additional. 986. Was there any prohibition at that time to sell tea to your neighbours?-There was very little of it sold. 987. But was it forbidden to sell tea to your neighbours?-Yes. 988. Is that forbidden now?-We have never tried it since. 989. Who forbade it?-Messrs. Hay.