990. Why?-Because they won't allow that to be done on the island. 991. What was their reason for that? Did you want to sell tea?- We did not want to sell tea, except that we were locked up in the island, and we could not get to Scalloway every day. If a storm came on and lasted for perhaps eight days, we could not get to the shop; and some parties might have had a pound or half a pound of tea in small parcels, and they would supply it to any of their neighbours who happened be run out. 992. How did any of the people happen have much tea by them?- They were working among the fish for Messrs. Hay, and they took the tea out of their store. 993. Why did they take it? Did they not want it?-They sometimes required a few pennies. The merchants at that time would give nothing but truck, and the people took the tea, and sold it to their neighbours in order to get a few pence. 994. How do you know that was forbidden? Was there any order issued in writing, or otherwise, stating that people should not sell tea to their neighbours?-It was ordered by word of mouth, and it was also stated by the obligation which we had to sign in Messrs. Hay's office. 995. Did you sign that document?-Yes. 996. So that, you are now under a written obligation not to sell tea?-Yes; a written obligation. 997. Have you heard anything of late years about that prohibition against selling tea?-No. 998. Is it common for a neighbour who has got more tea than he wants, to sell it to another?-No they don't do it now. [Page 21] 999. Why?-I don't know, except just that they are afraid. 1000. Then, if you want tea or any other goods, must go direct to the store at Scalloway for them?-Yes, if we have not got money. If we had money, then we could go to any store we like, and buy what we want. 1001. Have the Burra people any complaints to make with regard to oysters?-I don't deal in them. 1002. You were engaged in the herring fishery. Was there any special complaint made in the memorial, or have you any special complaint to make just now, as to that fishery?-The herring fishery is carried on under the same restrictions as the ling, 1003. You are bound to hand over the fish to Messrs. Hay, and they are entered into the account the same as the others?-Yes. 1004. When you prepared that petition some years ago, did you land your herring on the island, or were they handed in to some vessel?-There were two or three years about that time when a vessel came to Hamnavoe, and we measured them on board of her. When she was full, we had to measure them on shore. 1005. Who sent that vessel?-It was a man who came with a vessel from Hamburg for herrings, and he bought them from Messrs. Hay. 1006. Did the man pay you for the fish?-No; we had nothing to do with him, so far as the paying was concerned.