1168. How are your family supported during your absence at the Faroe fishing? Where do they get their supplies?-They can get them in the owner's store if they require them, but, for myself, I do not require to go there. I can get them at any place I please. 1169. Is it a common thing for the other men who go to the Faroe fishing, to buy their goods at the owners store?-When they don't have money to buy them at other places, they go there for them. 1170. But is that a common thing?-I cannot say exactly. I suppose it is not uncommon. 1171. Does it often happen that a man employed in the Faroe fishing finds an account against him in the owner's store for provisions at settling time as large as the amount which he has to receive for his fishing?-I am not acquainted with that myself. 1172. When you are away at the Faroe fishing, and your family have occasion for money, is there any difficulty in getting it from the parties who employ you?-Not if they know we have money to get. If we have a balance in our favour, they are not against giving it. 1173. How long are you generally absent at that fishing?- Sometimes six months, sometimes seven, and sometimes as low as three months. 1174. Suppose you had been away from home for two or three months, there would certainly be two or three months take of fish, if it was a middling season, for which money would be due to you?-Yes. 1175. Would your wife at home be able to get an advance of money from the merchant in that case, if she required it for the support of the family?-Yes. 1176. There is no difficulty made about that?-No. 1177. Is it a common thing in Shetland for a man's wife to get such advances of money during his absence-Yes, they would get a small sum of money, but the merchant would prefer them to take goods. [Page 24] 1178. If she comes for the money is she ever told to take it in goods; or is there any understanding that she is to take it in goods?-I cannot answer that, because I am not acquainted with what goes on while I am away. I can only speak to what has come within my own experience. Lerwick, January 2, 1872, GILBERT GOODLAD, examined. 1179. You are a fisherman in Burra, and you hold land there under Messrs. Hay?-Yes. 1180. You have been present during the examination of the previous witnesses?-Yes. 1181. Do you agree with most of what Williamson and Smith have said?-Yes. 1182. Is it all correct?-Yes; all correct. 1183. You generally go to the Faroe fishing?-I do. 1184. How long may you be absent at that fishing?-It just depends upon the season: sometimes we may be away for perhaps four months. We are generally home once in the middle of the time. We are sometimes we may be away longer than four months, sometimes not so long ago. 1185. What merchants have you generally engaged with?-I have engaged with a great many merchants in Shetland. 1186. There has been no objection made to your going with any merchant you liked?-No.