2665. Is there anything else you wish to say?-I don't think there is anything else. Lerwick, January 4, 1872, ROBERT LINKLATER, examined. 2666. You carry on business as a merchant in Lerwick?-Yes. 2667. You purchase hosiery, and you keep a stock of drapery goods, and tea, and other articles?-Yes. Tea is the only thing in the grocery line which I keep. 2668. Have you heard the evidence of the preceding witnesses?- Only of the last witness. 2669. Is the manner of conducting business in your establishment similar to that which has been described as being carried on in Mr. Sinclair's?-Very similar; there are some differences. 2670. You deal with knitters of two kinds-women who knit with your wool, and those who sell to you?-Yes. 2671. In both cases are the settlements usually made by means of goods which they take from you?-Yes, principally. 2672. In what proportion is money paid to women who knit with your wool?-I cannot say what the proportion may be. [Page 59] 2673. But is there a much larger proportion of the prices taken in goods?-Yes, very much larger. 2674. Is it the general rule that it is to be paid in goods?-Yes, it is the understanding that goods are given out. 2675. And that any money that is paid is the exception?-Yes. 2676. Is the dealing with these women usually carried on by means of pass-books?-The greater number of the knitters whom I employ have pass-books. 2677. And these pass-books are transcripts of the accounts kept in your ledger?-Yes. 2678. You ledger, I presume, is kept on the principle of having a page for the account of each woman?-Yes; or sometimes a page for two. 2679. On the one side there are the entries of goods got by the woman, and on the other there are entered the payments due to her for knitting?-There is double money column which shows both the credit and debit on the same side. 2680. How many women do you generally employ to knit for you?-I could not say exactly; but I think there might be over 300. 2681. Are these scattered all over the island?-Yes, all over the country. 2682. Is it a subject of complaint with these women that they do not get payment for their work in money?-No; I have not heard much complaint about that. 2683. The understanding is, that the payment is to be in goods?- Yes, it is the understanding that goods are to be taken when the work is given out; but I give a good deal of money. 2681. Is it considered a matter of favour when a woman gets payment in money when she asks for it?-No, I don't think it. 2685. If a woman asks for money rather than goods, is it given to her as a matter of course?-As a matter of course. 2686. Is that done whenever she asks for money?-As far as my recollection goes, it is. The greater number of the knitters whom I employ live in the country, and they very seldom ask for money. When they come in with their work, I generally ask them what they want, and they select the goods which they require.