2979. Do you hold land there?-My father holds land under Mr. Bruce of Simbister. 2980. Robert Mouat was formerly tacksman of Channerwick and Levenwick under Mr. Bruce?-Yes. 2981. He carried on a fish-curing business there up till last year?- Yes. 2982. During the time he held the tack, were the tenants there in use to fish for and deliver their fish to Mouat?-Yes. 2983. Was it supposed that there was an obligation on them to deliver their fish to him only?-Yes; they thought so. 2984. Was it the case that there was such an obligation?-It was not, but in their ignorance, they did not know otherwise. 2985. How do you know it was not the case?-Because afterwards, when he was put out of the place, Mr. Bruce, the proprietor, told them they never were bound to Mouat; only that if he gave them as high a price as was given in the country, and served them as well in every respect as they could be served anywhere else, why should they not fish to him as well as to another? If, however, Mouat came anything short of that, then they were under no obligation whatever, but they could put their produce where they pleased, and they had only to pay him their rent on a given day. 2986. When did Mr. Bruce tell you that?-In 1871. 2987. Had he never told you so before?-He never told the tenants that before. He had given a statement to Mouat before, but Mouat never revealed it to the tenantry until after his departure; and then it was known, and only then, how matters stood. 2988. To whom did Mr. Bruce make that statement? Was it in writing, or to some particular person?-I could not exactly answer that for I have never seen the statement myself. It is only from hearsay among the tenantry at large that I know about it. 2989. Have you heard that from many of the tenants?-Yes, from many. 2990. What is your father's name?-Malcom Malcolmson. He is unable to come here, unless it is absolutely necessary. 2991. Is he not in good health?-No; not at present. 2992. Was it the practice in Mouat's time to require the tenants to deliver their fish to him only?-Yes. 2993. Did he object to their selling them to others?-Yes. 2994. Did he turn out any people for doing so, or threaten to turn them out?-He threatened a few, and turned out one 2995. Who was that one?-Henry Sinclair, Levenwick. 2996. Was that a long time ago?-Yes; a few years ago. I don't remember the number of years in particular but it is a good while ago. 2997. You have given me a letter in these terms: 'MOUL, 18<th Jan>. 1869. 'Mr. Malcolm Malcolmson. 'Dear Sir,-I am sorrey to think that I shoud hav met to-day what I have, but you will be pleased to lok out for A place at Martamas 1869, 'ROBT. MOUAT, 'as I am goen to set your land.'