2108. Mr. Sinclair recommended you to come here today?-Yes; he said he thought I should come. 2109. How much did you get for knitting your last shawl?-I think we got £2, 10s. for our last shawl. [<Mr. Sinclair>, £2, 15s.] Yes, it was £2, 15s. 2110. That was a remarkably large one, I suppose?-Yes it was very fine. 2111. It was knitted by you and your sisters?-Yes. 2112. How long ago was that?-It was in the month of April or May, I think. 2113. How much of that did you get in money?-It was just marked in to our account, and we got the money as we asked for it. 2114. You did not tell me before that was the way in which you dealt?-I thought I did. You asked me if I had a pass-book, and I said it was just marked into the book. 2115. I rather understood that a settlement was made with you each time you took in your work?-No, we have an account. 2116. And that £2, 15s. was marked into it?-Yes. 2117. You did not take any goods at that time?-I hardly think it; but I really forget. 2118. Did you get any money at that time?-I don't think it. 2119. Did you ask for money?-No; and it was merely because I did not ask for it that I did not get it. <Adjourned>. Lerwick: Thursday, January 4, 1872. <Present>-Mr. Guthrie. ARTHUR LAURENSON, examined. 2120. You are a partner of the firm of Laurenson & Co., Shetland warehousemen and clothiers in Lerwick?-I am. 2121. That is the oldest house in that business in Shetland, is it not?-I believe it is. 2122. The other partner of the house is your brother-in-law, Mr. William Bruce Tulloch?-Yes. 2123. You succeeded your father in the business?-Yes. I was in business with him for a good many years before his death. 2124. Besides carrying on that business, you also act as a trustee or factor?-Yes; in bankruptcies. I am also treasurer for the Shetland Widows' Fund under Anderson's Trust. 2125. And in that capacity you have the management of a considerable income to be devoted to charitable purposes?-Yes; I am a member of the local committee. There are three other gentlemen on the committee. And I am also treasurer, and have been so for a long time. I was appointed by Mr. Anderson in his lifetime, and I have always been so since. 2126. In the Shetland hosiery business you get the goods from the women knitters, who I believe are of two classes: those who knit for you, and those who sell to you?-Yes. There are those who bring the article and just exchange it over the counter. The greater part of our business now consists in the exchanging of goods, rather than in the employing of women to knit for us. Some years ago we were more in that way than we are now. Our principal business now just consists in buying their own productions, or rather, I should say, in the exchanging of them.