The original documents come in a double column, small print format.
Since it isn't possible, or even desirable to reproduce that here, some
alterations have been made. Page numbers are indicated within square
brackets - [Page x]. Tables, which were in even smaller print, have
also been altered somewhat where necessary. In particular, Table I-IV
in the Report section have been split up for ease of use, and put after,
rather than in the middle of the section referring to them. The use of
italics has been indicated by means of the following <italics>.
The most obvious typographical errors have been removed, but otherwise
the text is untouched. However, the spelling of place names and personal
names has altered a bit over the years, and the items below cover most of
the obvious problems, as well as some misapprehensions and errors.
Blanch-
now Blance.
ca'in/caain whales-
alternative spellings of the same word - for Pilot Whale, usually.
Clunas-
now usually Cluness.
Colafirth-
now Collafirth.
Coningsburgh-
now Cunningsburgh.
Cumlywick-
now Cumlewick.
Cunningster-
now Cunnister.
Dalzell-
alternatively Dalziel, Dalyell, Deyell, and even Yell.
Dunrosness-
now Dunrossness.
Edmonston/Edmonstone-
now Edmondston.
Eskerness-
probably Eshaness.
Exter, Janet-
a misapprehension - actual name unknown but possibly
Janet Inkster.
Fetler-
now Fetlar.
Fiedeland-
now Fethaland.
Flaus/Flawes/Flaws-
alternative spellings of the same name now usually
Flaws.
Garrioch/Garriock/Garrick-
can be alternative spellings of the same name.
ghive/geo/gio-
gio - an inlet.
Goudie/Gaudie-
now Goudie.
Hancliffe-
probably Hangcliff.
Harra-
now Herra.
Hildesha-
now Hildasay, an island.
Hillyar/Hillyard-
probably Heylor.
Humphray/Humphrey/Umphray-
can be alternative spellings of the same name.
Jameson/Jamieson-
now usually Jamieson.
Lasetter-
now Lusetter.
Lebidden-
now Leabitten.
Leisk/Leask-
alternative spellings of the same name.
Lesslie/Leslie-
alternative spellings of the same name.
Lingord-
now Lingarth.
Luija-
probably Linga, an island.
Malcolmson/Malcomson-
now usually Malcolmson.
Manaster-
prob. Mangaster.
Mavisgrind-
now Mavis Grind.
Nicholson-
now usually Nicolson.
North Mavine/Northmaven-
now Northmavine.
Rennesta-
probably Ringasta.
Roenessvoe-
now Ronas Voe.
Satter-
now Setter.
scatthold/scattales/scattholes-
now scattald.
scaups/scaaps-
alternative spellings of the same word, a bed of
shellfish on the sea bottom.
Simbister-
now Symbister.
Stenness-
now Stennes.
Sullem/Sullam-
now Sullom.
Thomason/Thomson/Thompson-
alternative spellings of the same name.
Trosswick-
now Troswick.
Urrafirth-
now Urafirth.
Usiness-
prob. Ustaness.
Vinsgarth-
now Veensgarth.
Waterbru-
now Waterbrough.
West Sandwick-
now Westsandwick.
Angus Johnson, May, 2001.
[Page 1 rpt.]
REPORT.
_______
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY AUSTEN BRUCE, ONE OF HER
MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF STATE.
SIR,
THE Report on the Truck System, presented to Parliament in 1871,
stated that the Commissioners, Messrs. Bowen and Sellar, had
received information from four witnesses with regard to Shetland,
'tending to show that the existence of Truck in an oppressive form
is general in the staple trades of the islands'. The Commissioners
in their Report call attention to this evidence, and add: 'Time
would not allow of a local inquiry at Shetland, nor can an inquiry
be adequately conducted into the Truck which is alleged to prevail
there otherwise than upon the spot. No opinion accordingly is
offered either as to the extent of, or the remedy for, the alleged
evils; but the necessity of some investigation by Her Majesty's
Government into the condition of these islands seems made out.'
Having been appointed, by a warrant under your hand, dated Dec.
23, 1871, one of the Commissioners under the Truck Commission
Act, 1870, in room of Mr. Bowen, I was directed to proceed to
Shetland and institute an inquiry there under that Act. I inquired
respecting the matters embraced under the instructions of the Act,
and I have now to report as follows:-
I went to Shetland at the beginning of the year, a time when the
seafaring people of the country are generally at their homes, and
I at once began to take evidence with regard to the system of
barter or truck which prevails in various trades and industries in
these islands. Evidence was taken respecting the hosiery or
knitting trade, in which a very large proportion of the women of
the country are engaged. Evidence was also taken with regard to
the fishing trade, which in its different branches affords
employment for part of the year to the whole of the male
population, with few exceptions. With regard to the manner
in which sales of farm stock and produce are transacted, rents are
paid, and land is held in Shetland, information has also been
obtained, without which it appeared to be impossible to form a
correct idea of the condition of the people, and the way in which
barter or truck presents itself as an inseparable element of their
daily life and habits. A large amount of evidence was also pressed
upon me with regard to the engagement of seamen at Lerwick for
sealing and whaling voyages to Greenland and Davis Straits.
Sittings for the purpose of taking evidence were held at Lerwick,
Brae (Delting), Hillswick (Northmaven), Mid Yell, Balta Sound
(Unst), Boddam (Dunrossness), and Scalloway, in Shetland. I
visited Kirkwall, in Orkney, for the purpose of examining certain
witnesses now residing there with regard to the condition of Fair
Island, which was inaccessible at the time of my journey. Sittings
were also held in Edinburgh for the examination of a few
witnesses residing there.
Public notice by printed bills was given of all meetings, and
circulars were also sent to all clergymen, schoolmasters, and
landed proprietors, and to all persons in the fishcuring and hosiery
trades. Evidence was received from almost all who tendered it,
from a large number of persons suggested or put forward by
employers of labour and purchasers of hosiery goods and fish, and
from many witnesses who were selected and cited.
________________________