ABERNETHY, Archibald (analysis of his evidence, p. 301), is
a shopkeeper at Whiteness in Tingwall, 12,251; deals in eggs,
butter, groceries, and soft goods, 12,252, 12,253; generally pays in
goods, but gives money often for eggs, 12,254; buys fish green,
and cures, 12,257; men prefer to have price of fish fixed at end of
season, 12,259.
ADIE, Thomas Mountford (analysis of his evidence, p. 138),
fish merchant at Voe (Olnafirth), 5593; as a rule, fishermen are
engaged to deliver all their fish, and take the current price at the
end of season, 5596; has once or twice made contracts to buy fish
at fixed price from men, and found that they were discontented if
afterwards the price of fish rose, and he was obliged to pay more
than he had agreed, 5598-5601; thinks the price, if fixed at
beginning of year, would be lower than they generally get at
present, 5604; under it no advances could be made to men, 5608;
buying of boats, 5609-5624; 3d. per cwt. more paid at Voe for fish
to men having their own boats, 5610-5612; most men have an
account at store, 5633; discount for cash payments, 5636; fishing
lines, 5640-5646; bad debts are no advantage to merchant, 5655;
men are now in great fear lest any change be made, 5657;
smuggled fish, 5663; bucht lines, 5664-5666; men not compelled
to take goods from store, 5679; fish the merchants' only security,
5685, 5686; price of meal, 5697-5700; curers have a very small
profit on fish, 5704; Faroe fishing, 5726; hosiery, 5741; is always
paid for in goods, 5742; there is no profit on it, 5743; does not
think knitters would take a less price in cash, 5749; beach boys,
5751; tacksman has no profit on rents, 5767.
ADIE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 210), son and
partner of T. M. Adie (p. 138), 8640; there is an arrangement that
when an indebted fisherman goes to another employer he is bound
to pay the debt incurred to a former employer, 8641; cost of
curing, 8660. (recalled, p. 213). Gives further evidence as to the
cost of curing fish, 8750.
ADVANCES of cash during season, 815, 1177, 5030, 8587,
9390, 9544, 9600, 9868, 10,249, 10,631, 10,940, 11,172, 11,977,
12,589, 13,162, 13,322, 13,882, 14,782, 15,574, 15,911.
for boats and boat hires, etc., 3623, 3839, 5206, 5357, 5609,
6507, 6724, 7208, 9092, 9856, 10,139, 10,572, 11,879, 12,295,
12,957, 13,270, 13,396, 14,109, 14,933, 15,053, 15,095, 16,794,
16,890, 16,999.
AITKEN, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 119),
fisherman, Eastshore, Dunrossness, 4801; and tenant of house,
4802; is bound by writing to fish for landlord, 4803; thinks
freedom in fishing would be an advantage, 4806; could get meal
cheaper than at store, 4835; wages fixed by landlord, 4853-4855;
must work for landlord because there is no one else to work for,
4855.
ALLOWANCES to indebted men, 12,641, 13,162, 13,179,
13,967.
ANDERSON, Andrew (analysis of his evidence, p. 166),
fisherman at Hillyar, 6866; fishes for Mr. Laurence Smith, 6868;
previously fished for a number of other dealers, 6869; changed
employer frequently, because he got in debt and could not get
supplies, 6875, 6876.
ANDERSON, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 224),
fisherman at Burravoe, 9271; formerly tenant and fisherman at
Lunna, 9272; was bound to fish for tacksman, 9275; fishes now for
Mr. Adie, 9284; deals generally with him, 9286; makes no
complaint as to prices, 9299.
ANDERSON, David (analysis of his evidence, p. 316),
fisherman and tenant in Skerries, 12,772, 12,773; bound to fish,
12,774; sells farm produce to curer, 12,778; has no wish for a
change, 12,781; dealers' prices too high, 12,785.
ANDERSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 158),
merchant and fish-curer at Hillswick, 6498; tacksman of estate of
Ollaberry, 6499; men engaged for fishing paid current price at end
of season, 6503; men having their own boats and being free from
debt paid 6d. per cwt. extra for fish, 6507; ling fishing, 6523; does
not think long settlements cause debt, 6537; does not think the
fixing of a price at the beginning of season would be an advantage
to the men, 6543; men under no obligation to deal at store, 6554;
men smuggle a good deal, 6564; buys cattle and farm produce,
6583; generally pays for them in cash, 6585; beach boys, 6602;
and curers paid at end of season, 6605; kelp, 6628-6640; paid
either in cash or goods, 6631; hosiery, 6641; generally paid in
goods, 6642, 6643; there is no profit on it, 6645; people generally
ask goods, but this may be because they understand it is the
custom to pay in kind, 6656; there would be no advantage in a
cash system, 6671-6674; home-spun tweed usually paid in cash,
6681-6688; tea often taken by knitters, 6696; never knew goods
exchanged for cash, 6697; lines, 6700; generally brought back by
original holder, 6701; there is no impediment to the opening of
other shops, 6707; is agent for Shipwrecked Mariners' Society,
6711; in the case of men losing a boat, would not stop the
compensation money to pay shop account, but if they were
indebted for the boat he would stop it, 6717-6722; boat-building,
6724; thinks a great boon to Shetland would be the introduction of
a land bill, as at present a tenant improving his farm is liable to be
ejected or have his rent raised at any moment, 6749; proprietors
are unwilling to give leases, 6751.
ANDERSON, John (recalled, p. 189). There is an agreement
amongst merchants, to protect them from attempts on the part of
men to escape payment of debts, that they shall not engage the
men without seeing that their debts are paid, 7776; dissents from
evidence of Rev. Mr. Sutherland (p. 179), 7796; and thinks the
people may be favourably compared with their equals in other
places for frugality, foresight, and moral virtues, 7797-7800; it is
not possible to introduce a more extensive system of winter
fishing, 7804.
ANDERSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 168),
fisherman at Hillswick, 6977; lives with his father, 6978; fishes for
Laurence Smith, 6979; settles yearly, 6980; deals at his shop,
6981; has pass-book, 6994; was a beach boy, 6999; when indebted,
considered himself bound to fish for dealer, 7010-7014; but his
supplies being stopped, went to another dealer, 7026.
ANDERSON, Mrs. Margery Manson or (analysis of her
evidence, p. 32), lives in Lerwick, 1648; knits with her own wool,
1649; previously for dealer, with his wool, 1650; paid in goods,
1652; could not get money, 1656; goods not worth the price put on
them, 1658; had pass-book, 1664-1670; sells now for goods and a
little money to dealer, 1674; would prefer to be paid in money,
1675; gets lines, 1679.
ANDERSON, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 67),
shopman to Robert Linklater, 3058; refers to evidence of Margaret
Tulloch (p. 29) and Mrs. Thomas Anderson (p. 32); work was
refused them because of their slowness in executing it, 3059; lines
not given, 3070, 3071; system of dealing, 3060-3076; does not sell
wool, 3087; there is very often no profit on hosiery, 3088-3097;
but on the whole there is a small profit, 3149; goods are charged
higher because of the present system, 3176, 3177; Shetland wool is
not sold, 3179.
ANDERSON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 254), fishes
for Spence & Co., Haroldswick, 10,500; runs an account with
them, 10,501; formerly paid cash, 10,504; gets the same quality of
goods now, but pays more, 10,507; monthly payments might be
advantageous in good years, 10,512.
ARCUS, Mrs. Ann (analysis of her evidence, p. 33), living in
Lerwick, 1729; a dresser of shawls, 1729; sometimes knits, 1731;
dresses shawls for dealers and workers, 1738; occasionally
disposes of shawls for workers, 1746; generally paid in goods,
1754; thinks country girls do not require money, but knit to [Page
440] clothes, 1754, 1755; can always get money herself, 1759; but
does not know if others can, 1761, 1777; and gets lines, 1764; has
no pass-book, 1791; in summer sells sometimes to visitors, 1804,
1805; gets money in full, 1806, 1807; and prefers it, 1808-1810; if
paid in money, thinks so high a price would not be given, as
merchants have a profit on goods, and so can allow more when
they pay in kind, 1825; yet knitters prefer this, 1826; thinks the
workers should be grateful to the dealers, who have entirely
created a trade and found a mart for their goods throughout the
country, 1831.
BEACH Boys, hiring of, etc., 4367, 5000, 5070, 5086, 5101, 5241,
5751, 5907, 6602, 6999, 7533, 8792, 10,108, 10,283, 10,345,
12,295, 12,437, 12,808, 13,353, 14,086, 15,102.
BLANCE, Andrew (analysis of his evidence, p. 221), fisherman at
Burravoe, also engaged in seal and whale fishing, 9136; tenant of
land under Mr. M'Queen, 9137; system of engagements and
settlements in whale fishing, 9147-9221; half-pay tickets, 9154.
BLANCE, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 137), fisherman at
Midgarth, 5542; tenant under trustees, 5543; under no obligation to
fish, 5544; deals at the stores of merchants for whom he fishes,
5547; when men are in debt they seldom get cash, 5552; considers
himself under obligation to fish when indebted, 5554; has no
pass-book, 5574; smuggling of fish, 5577-5592.
BLANCE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 149), fisherman at
Ollaberry, 6008; and tenant, 6009; fishes for landlord, 6011; but is
not bound, 6012; has been free for six years, 6013; goes to Faroe
fishing; does not know whether if he went to home fishing he
would be bound, 6026; believes that men generally are, 6028:
deals principally with merchant, 6057; always had advances of
money when he wishes, 6076; being indebted to merchant,
considers himself bound to fish for him, 6092, 6093; fishing lines
and bait, 6103; knitters, 6136; paid generally in goods, 6138-6147;
does not know whether money could be got, 6147-6150;
ejectment, 6155; never knew of ejectment for refusal to fish, 6160;
eggs, 6161-6166; freedom in sale of, 6181, 6182.
BLANCH, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 206), fisherman and
farmer near Brae, 8510; skipper in Faroe fishing, 8516; for Mr.
Adie, 8517; settlement generally yearly, 8518; men generally take
their supplies from merchant, 8519; never knew of men bound to
fish, 8528; thinks the present system favours the masters, as they
can fix the price of fish as they choose, and men do not know what
they are earning till the end of the season, 8531; Englishmen
fishing for Shetland curers have price fixed at the beginning of
season, 8539, 8541; the system of credit causes men to incur debt,
8564; thinks it would be a good plan for a certain part of the price
of fish to be paid on delivery, and the rest at settlement according
to current price, 8567; at home fishing thinks a man, unless
indebted, is not bound to fish for merchant, 8575; in selling
Shetland cloth always got cash if asked, 8576. (recalled). Gives
evidence as to the cost of curing fish, 8713; men have to supply
their own lines and fishing apparatus in Faroe smacks--thinks the
owner should, 8715.
BOATS and Boat Hires, purchase of and advances for (<see>
Advances, etc.).
BOLT, Mrs. Barbara (analysis of her evidence, p. 38), lives in
Lerwick, 1940; knits with her own wool and sells to dealer, 1941;
has no pass-book, 1942; is paid in goods, 1947; gets money when
she wishes, 1951; sometimes gets lines, 1955; can get wool for
goods or lines, 1955-1965.
BOLT, Mrs. Wilhelmina (analysis of her evidence, p. 38),
corroborates Mrs. Barbara Bolt (p. 38), 1969-1971; got money and
goods as she wished from merchants for hosiery, 1972.
BORTHWICK, Catherine (analysis of her evidence, p. 32), lives in
Lerwick, and knits, 1608; for dealers, 1610; has no pass-book,
1611, 1612; is paid in goods, 1616; price is fixed by dealer, 1617;
seldom gets money, 1620-1623; sometimes has to sell goods to
obtain money, 1627; prefers to knit for money, 1630.
BROWN, Catherine (analysis of her evidence, p. 437), has knitted
Shetland goods for about fifteen years, 17,015; and has
appointment as knitter to H.R.H the Princess of Wales, 17,018;
always sold hosiery in Lerwick for money, 17,026; and sold at a
price slightly lower, 17,031; has heard of women selling goods to
get money, 17,037.
BROWN, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 131), tenant under
Mr. Bruce of Sumburgh, and fishes for him, 5284; corroborates
evidence of William Goudie (p. 105), 5285; in consequence of a
report of him selling some fish to another merchant, 5287; his
house was put up to let by Mr. Bruce, 5288; on proving to Mr.
Bruce that the report was false he was allowed to remain, 5294;
meal dearer at store than at Lerwick, 5300.
BROWN, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 193), has a small
shop, 7957; at Brough in North Delting, 7958; deals in groceries,
7959; never is forbidden to do so, 7962; deals for cash, 7964;
fishes, and buys small fish from other men, 7964; cures fish, 7968;
does not think there is any restriction placed on the sale of any fish
by men, 7975; kelp, 7986; meal, 7999; thinks a ready money
system would be an advantage to all
BRUCE, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 186), schoolmaster
and inspector of poor, 7628; pauperism has neither increased
nor diminished in his experience, 7631; gives an account of
management of paupers, 7629-7656.
BRUCE, John, jun. (analysis of his evidence, p. 329), son of Mr.
Bruce, Sumburgh, 13,292 tacksman of property at Dunrossness.
Gives in paper stating that tenants on property managed by him
are free to go to sea, to the Greenland or Faroe fishings, and to
pursue any land occupation; but remaining at home fishing, are
expected to deliver their fish to him, payment at full market value
being rendered. This is a condition of holding their farms, and is
beneficial to them, as they must fish for some merchant; he gives
as good a price as any other, and besides has the most convenient
stations for delivery of fish. Keeps store for the convenience of
men, but not expected to deal there against their wishes. Prior to
1860 men fished as they pleased, and generally were unable to pay
their rents. The people are now in a much better state. Goods at
store are of the best quality, and not unreasonably priced, 13,293.
BRUCE, John James (analysis of his evidence, p. 74), shopman to
Mr. Sinclair, 3308; there is no profit on hosiery, 3312-3342; lines
are generally brought back by original owner, 3345; never knew an
instance of lines being sold or transferred, 3350; but has heard that
such things are done, 3355; under cash system workers would
actually get less value for their work, 3402; but there would be the
advantage of having money for provisions, 3409; and it might
cause knitters to work more carefully, and then there would be a
regular market, 3412.
-(recalled, p. 77). Gives evidence as to lines, 3445.
BURGESS, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 126), fisherman and
tenant at Hillwill, 5097; corroborates James Flawes (p. 121) and
others, 5098; beach boys, 5101; wages not paid until settlement,
5103; are bound to serve, 5105; men are free to deal anywhere,
5114; has no pass-book, 5117.
CATTLE, disposal of, etc., 942, 1295, 4751, 5352, 6583, 7228,
8130, 8849, 8870, 8944, 9127, 9489, 9686, 10,018, 10,071,
12,241, 12,346, 12,727, 12,758, 13,241.
-Marking and selling, 5278, 7235, 7600, 8135, 9690.
CHARACTER of Shetland people, 3623, 5981, 7797,
9382, 12,148, 13,807, 14,743, 14,757.
CHRISTIE, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 22), fisherman
and tenant at Burra, 1063; corroborates Walter Williamson (p.15)
and Peter Smith (p. 20), 1064; to fish and cure for themselves
would be advantageous to men, 1074; knitters, 1077; are
invariably paid in goods, 1078; wool supplied by dealer, 1084;
and price fixed by him, 1091.
CLOTH made by women, sale of, 6681, 8163, 8254, 8309,
8488, 8576.
CLUNAS, Margaret (analysis of her evidence, p. 78), lives at
Unst, 3456; knits, 3451; for merchant, 3452, 3453; and sometimes
used her own wool, 3455; is paid in goods, 3458; money not given,
3459; sometimes spins wool, and believes she could get cash for
the worsted, 3486, 3494.
COD Fishing (home), 12,236, 12,468.
COLVIN, Gavin (analysis of his evidence, p. 28), fisherman in
Levenwick, 1382; corroborates John Leask (p. 25), 1392; goods at
Mouat's store very inferior, 1394; all produce was required to be
delivered up, 1397; can now get money if he requires it, 1405;
price of fish should be fixed beforehand, 1409.
CONDITION of people, 3623, 5235, 7470, 9709, 10,544.
COTTON at store, 9815, 9847, 10,511, 13,200, 13,408,
16,656, 17,047.
COUTTS, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 386), a provision
merchant in Lerwick for eleven years, 15,261; previously bought
in soft goods, 15,263; but gave it up as it caused him a great deal
of trouble, 15,264; and [Page 441] he sometimes had stolen goods
brought to him, etc., 15,266.
COUTTS, James (recalled, p. 387). Produces book showing his
transactions in brokery line, 15,332; paid for these goods in cash,
and people spent it frequently afterwards in his shop, 15,334; has
taken goods from knitters which they had got for hosiery, 15,336.
COUTTS, Mary (analysis of her evidence, p. 284), lives in
Scalloway, 11,585; she and her sister support themselves, father,
and aunt, by knitting, 11,587; knits with merchant's wool, 11,589;
is paid in tea and goods, 11,590; cannot get money, 11,591; except
the merest trifle, 11,593-11,596; barters tea for meal and potatoes,
11,601.
COWIE, Dr. Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 369), medical
practitioner in Lerwick, 14,692; is a native of Lerwick, 14,693; has
always lived there except when south for his education, 14,694; a
system of barter is almost universal, 14,696; knitters are paid in
goods to an extent that is unwholesome for themselves and the
community, 14,698; there is an utter disproportion in the food and
dress of knitters, who are often clothed in a gaudy, showy manner,
while almost starving, 14,699; dress that they wear, also, is
unsuited to the climate, 14,701; this is owing chiefly to the system
of truck, 14,703; there is no pawnbroker's shop in Shetland,
14,708; some old women who make a livelihood by hawking
goods for knitters from house to house, 14,709; believes
immorality prevails to a considerable extent in Shetland, but
cannot say certainly, 14,711; does not think professional
prostitution is greater in Lerwick than other seaport towns, 14,712;
but believes that occasional prostitution prevails to a greater
extent, 14,713; this may be accounted for by the system of barter,
as knitters have insufficient food and plenty of handsome clothes,
14,715; statistics show that illegitimacy is less in Shetland than in
many parts of Scotland, but believes that for several reasons the
Registrar-General's returns are not to be depended on, 14,717-
14,721; the system has also evil effects on the physical systems of
knitters, 14,773; and leads them to be very extravagant in dress,
14,725; it also causes them to use tea to an extent that is injurious
to their health, 14,726; oatmeal, fish, and potatoes, the principal
diet of a fisherman's family, 14,729; under the system of fishing,
men do not know whether they are in debt or not, 14,731; and this
causes them to be deficient in independence, and raises a deceitful,
time-serving disposition, and cripples enterprise, 14,739; people
are intelligent and pretty well-bred, but they want proper ambition,
and have no desire of improving their condition, 14,743; this is
caused by the system of barter, by the short leases of land, and the
want of encouragement to make improvements, 14,744; houses in
Shetland are very bad, 14,745; people are sober and steady,
14,757; thinks the system of long credit injurious to all concerned,
14,759.
CURER'S profit, 3623, 4990, 5704, (small) 9698.
CURING, Cost of, 8551, 8660, 8713, 8750, 8999, 9698, 10,109,
10,276, 10,344, 11,291, 11,422, 13,573, 15,240, 15,766, 15,962,
16,474, 17,007.
DALGLEISH, David (analysis of his evidence, p. 295), partner of
Nicholson & Co., Scalloway, 12,021; corroborates Mr. Charles
Nicholson (p. 293), 12,023.
DALZELL, Mrs. Barbara (analysis of her evidence, p. 388), lives
in Scalloway Road, Lerwick, 15,359; has knitted with her own and
merchant's wool, 15,360; mostly with her own, 15,361; is paid in
money and goods, 15,362; often entirely in money, 15,363;
knitters are generally paid in goods only, 15,364; money only
given for very fine articles, 15,865; best Shetland wool is very
difficult to procure, 15,397.
DAVIDSON, Donald (analysis of his evidence, p. 435), fish-curer
in Burntisland, 16,920; for a long time in Mr. Methuen's
employment, 16,921; his stations in Shetland given up two years
since, 16,925; Mr. Methuen agreed with Mr. Bruce for the delivery
of the fish, 16,934; and not directly with the men, 16,935; thinks a
system of cash payments could be introduced and worked in
Shetland, 16,965.
DEBTS, Transfer of, from one merchant to another, 7365, 7751,
7776, 8127, 8373, 8641, 9074, 9940,10,034,10,499, 10,977,
13,001, 14,137, 14,558, 16,010, 16,299, 16,566.
DEPOSITS in bank and hoarding, 3735, 4785, 10,709, 13,055,
13,726, 15,090, 15,223, 16,330, 16,513.
EDMONSTONE, David (analysis of his evidence, p. 258), factor
on Buness estate, and a farmer, 10,624; formerly a fish-merchant,
10,625; was the writer of letter (Q. 44,511) in Edinburgh evidence,
10,626; retains opinions stated therein, 10,627; thinks cash
advances during season should be compulsory, 10,631, fishing
and farming must be combined in Shetland, owing to the
unproductiveness of the winter fishing, 10,633; small boats best
for winter fishery, 10,634; fish-curers arrange payment of rents,
10,640; people are beginning to see the wisdom of making
improvements, 10,670; thinks the diet of people much better than
that of the same class in England and Scotland, 10,672; meal, fish,
potatoes, bread, and biscuits principal articles of diet, 10,679.
EGGS, Disposal of, etc., 949, 1297, 6161, 6483, 6853, 7074, 7448,
7538, 8870, 8878, 8967, 9908, 10,169, 11,435, 11,853, 12,038,
12,048, 12,218, 12,252, 12,295, 12,346, 12,695, 12,836, 12,928,
13,015, 13,043, 14,023.
EUNSON, Mrs. Ann (analysis of her evidence, p. 77), lives in
Lerwick, 3415; knits for dealer, 3418; paid in goods, and got
money when she required, 3421; sometimes sold shawls to
travelling merchants for money, 3430; sometimes got advances
of money from dealer even when there was not a balance in her
favour, 3444.
EUNSON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 125), fisherman
and tenant at Waterbru, 5056; corroborates James Flawes (p. 121)
and George Goudie (p. 124), 5058, 5059; liberty money, 5060.
5061; beach boys, 5070, 5071.
EVICTION, 577,585, 722, 790, 900, 1012, 1327, 2994, 3025,
3625, 3659, 3755, 4274, 4385, 4486, 4510, 4727, 4777, 4935,
4956, 5069, 5288, 5314, 5320, 6155, 8910, 9227, 9238, 9423,
9636, 10,162, 12,323, 12,625, 12,693, 13,433, 14,816, 16,437.
EXTER, Janet (analysis of her evidence, p. 102), knitter in Satter,
4093; knits for Mr. Linklater, 4094; with his wool, 4095; no lines
or pass-book, 4099; could not get money, 4102; is poorly paid,
4101; in goods, 4102; would prefer money, if even a little less,
4103; knits now for Mr. Sinclair, and gets part payment in cash,
4111; formerly exchanged goods for meal, 4112.
FAIR ISLE, 4729, 4739, 5770, 13,056, 13,233, 13,326, p.
330, f.n.
FAMILY supplied by dealer in men's absence (Faroe fishing),
1172, 117S, 1188, 2955, 11,058.
FARM Produce, Disposal of, etc., 939, 949, 1294, 1300, 4673,
6383, 8870, 9873, 10,079, 10,169, 10,605, 12,778, 13,089, 13,814.
-Restrictions on sale of, 5271, 12,689.
FAROE Fishing, Statements as to, 876, 923, 1157, 1172, 1178,
1183, 1214, 2929, 5726, 6900, 7860, 8515, 9371, 10,912, 11,268,
11,718, 12,011, 12,211, 12,262, 12,267, 12,295, 12,407, 13,557,
13,603, 13,625, 14,080, 15,107, 15,211, 15,227, 15,706, 16,310,
16,428, 16,490.
FEAR of landlord and merchant, 572, 9670, 12,334, 13,421,
13,472.
FINES, 1044, 3755, 3623, 3917, 4483, 4534, 4751, 9241,
12,695, 12,698.
FLAUS, Mrs. Helen (analysis of her evidence, p. 38), lives in
Lerwick; dresses shawls for knitters, 1973; and knits, 1973;
confirms Mrs. Arcus (p. 33), 1974; sells for knitters to merchants,
and gets lines, 1985; or sees it marked in a book, 1986; can always
get money if she wishes it, but cannot say if it is the custom to give
it, 1998; believes that if hosiery were paid in money, a less price
would be given, 2004, 2012.
FLAWES, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 121), fisherman and
tenant at Rennesta, near Quendale, 4910; bound to fish, 4911; on
pain of expulsion, 4914; current price of fish fixed by four leading
merchants, 4919; other merchants vary, and sometimes give more,
4923-4931; knows cases of men being threatened for fishing to
other merchants, 4935-4947; liberty money, 4948; men not obliged
to deal at store, 4971; goods dearer there, 4978; thinks the price
given for fish is not sufficiently high, 4988; boys are bound to act
as beach boys, 5000, 5001.
FLEMING, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 438), draper and
buyer for Messrs. Maclaren, Son, & Co., High Street, Edinburgh,
17,042; has had eighteen years' experience--two as a buyer,
17,044; gives evidence as to value of samples of cotton shown
him, 17,047, 17,070.
FLOUR, Price of, etc., 9069, 9899, 11,847, 14,966, 15,043,
16,862.
FORDYCE, Mrs. John Winwick or (analysis of her evidence, p.
407), lives in Chromate Lane, Lerwick, 16,038; knits with her own
wool, 16,040; gets goods or money as she requires, 16,065; but the
custom is to pay in goods, 16,066.
FRASER, Rev. James (analysis of his evidence, p. 194), a
clergyman at Sullem for twenty-four years, 8007; is well
acquainted with the people, 8008; and the systems of payment
and credit purchases practised, 8009; thinks the effect of these on
the people is not very good, 8010; the large amount of bad debts in
[Page 442] merchant's books cause him to charge higher prices,
8011, 8012; the credit system is an annoyance to the merchant,
8016; and injurious to the independence of the people, 8022; does
not think fishing and farming could be separated, 8029; payment
of hosiery in cash would be no advantage, as a rule, to the knitters,
8035; goods given in exchange for hosiery dearer, 8040; thinks a
system of agricultural improvements would be the best thing for
Shetland, as men would then be able to supply their own meal, and
be more independent of curer, 8052; a system of leaseholding
necessary, 8067; price for fish fixed at the beginning of season
would not be an advantage to men, 8071; cannot see any
advantage in periodical advances during season, 8074; in letter
sent afterwards to Commissioner, insists again strongly on
agricultural improvements as the most necessary thing in Shetland,
p. 197.
GARRIOCH, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 213), shopkeeper
to Hay & Co. in Fetlar, 8762; price of meal, 8766; men are not
bound to fish, 8781; beach boys, 8792; whisky, 8833; kelp, 8838;
paid either in cash or goods, 8845; purchases cattle, 8849; pays in
cash, 8850.
GARRIOCK, Lawrence (analysis of his evidence, p. 335), is a
fisherman at Scatness, 13,454; lives on the property of Mr. Bruce
of Simbister; fishes for Hay & Co., but is not bound, 13,455; deals
sometimes at store, 13,457; and runs an account, 13,461; paid
balance in cash at settlement, 13,462; is satisfied with price and
quality of the goods, 13,465; has no passbook, 13,470; men are
afraid to give evidence before commissioner because of curers,
13,472; they are afraid of being ejected, 13,474; landlord takes
one-third of oil of whales captured by men, 13,478; thinks this
unfair, 13,479; landlord demands it, under threat of raising their
rents, 13,482.
GARRIOCK, Lewis F. U. (analysis of his evidence, p. 302),
partner of Garriock & Co., general merchants and fish-curers at
Reawick, 12,293; gives in a written statement, 12,295, stating that
the firm's general store is Reawick, and they have besides two
smaller shops: Messrs. Garriock last season cured the fish from ten
smacks at Faroe, etc., and five smaller ones at Orkney and home
fishing, to the gross value of £4600; there is no obligation on men
to deal at store; in bad seasons merchants lose heavily by bad
debts; merchants would greatly prefer a cash system, with payment
on delivery, but such a system would lead to fixed wages; men
curing their own fish are free in selling. It is the exception, and not
the rule, for men to be indebted; never knew liberty money paid,
12,307; tenants are never interfered with in sale of hosiery, cattle,
or farm produce, 12,346; nor bound to deal at store, 12,347; Burra
men generally go to the Faroe fishing, 12,362; not to avoid the
restrictions laid on the ling fishing, 12,365; they are bound by their
leases to deliver fish to Messrs. Hay, 12,367; Messrs. Garriock, at
one time issued a circular at Foula, stating that they wished to
ascertain the views of the people as to whether they wished to cure
their own fish, stating at the same time that if they did, Messrs.
Garriock's store would be discontinued, 12,380; the men
unanimously stated they did not wish such conditions, 12,381; men
prefer to bring their fish to the principal merchant, because he can
command the largest market, and therefore give the best price,
12,400; young men going to the Faroe fishing require to have their
outfit on credit, 12,407; in the Faroe fishing the men and masters
are actually joint-adventurers, only the merchant takes all the risk,
12,418, 12,419; in home cod fishing the men are settled with in the
same manner as the Faroe fishermen, 12,468, 12,472; the winter
fishing could not be much increased, 12,478; long-line fishing
from the bank would be impracticable in winter, 12,490;
Greenland fishing, 12,506; was formerly a nursery for the
merchant service, but now young men do not go, as the Board of
Trade regulations prevent them from getting outfit on credit,
12,511, 12,512; large advances are made in bad season to men,
12,547; men usually continue to fish until their debt is paid off,
12,549; the system of fishing on shares is the best, 12,608;
believes men would refuse to adopt weekly payments, 12,610.
GARRIOCK, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 385), agent in
Lerwick, 15,209; sells fishing materials, 15,210; is engaged only in
the Faroe fishing, 15,211; men deal with certain other merchants
for goods which be guarantees, 15,212; and the amount of their
account is deducted at settlement, 15,214; occasionally receives a
commission, 15,215; many men are not in a position to require
advances, but all take them, 15,223; in the Faroe trade, merchants
often have to give the men a price as high or even higher than they
themselves get, 15,227.
GARRIOCK, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 411), lives in
Sandsting parish, 16,216; serves in Naval Reserve in Lerwick,
16,217; was bred a seaman, 16,218; has principally gone to
Greenland and Davis Straits, 16,219; has shipped from various
agents, 16,222; always got his outfit from agent with whom he
served, 16,224; and supplies for his family, 16,225; always got
cash if he asked for it, 16,229; at settlement agent sometimes
attends at the Custom-house to receive payment of his account,
and at other times the men go down to his shop, and settle it after
they have been paid, 16,239; never knew an agent refuse to give
money, 16,243; men may buy their outfits where they please,
16,270; has bought his from a dealer other than the one he engaged
with, 16,272; an impression exists that indebted men have the best
chance of being engaged--cannot say if it is true, 16,280, 16,281;
at the end of one year he had a balance against him--he sailed next
year under another merchant, and found that the account had been
transferred to the new agent's books, 16,299.
GATHERER, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 391), is collector
of customs at Lerwick; strongly condemns the truck system,
15,866; before 1867 wages of men from Greenland fishery were
seldom paid at the Customhouse, 15,871; and in almost every case
the men ran large accounts, 15,872; this system he believes was
actually illegal, 15,881; and was only carried on because the
agents desired a profit on the men's supplies, 15,885; since 1867
men have received full payment in cash at the Custom-house,
15,892; but there is much delay in payment, 15,893; does not
believe this arises so much from the men's reluctance (15,894), as
the agent's unwillingness to have a settlement, 15,896; though the
regulations are outwardly observed, the agents still continue to
have a virtual security for their accounts, and agents admit that
their main inducement to accept the agency is the profit to be got
on supplies to the men, 15,898; thinks young men could get their
outfits without the help of the agents, 15,910; as any merchant
would give a seaman credit if he knew the agent did not enjoy a
monopoly of giving supplies, 15,914.
GAUNSON, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 215), fisherman
in Fetlar and tenant of land, 8861; does not know if men in Fetlar
are at liberty to fish--gets a good price from Messrs. Hay, and
never inquired, 8862; generally has a balance in his favour at the
end of the season, 8869; always got money or goods as he wanted,
8869; sells farm produce and cattle as he pleases, 8872, 8874;
goods at store are good and reasonable, 8887; does not think men
are bound to fish, 8894; hosiery, 8896.
GEORGESON, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 295),
merchant at Bayhall in the parish of Walls, 12,026; for
twenty-seven years, 12,027; principally deals with fishermen and
farmers for ready money, 12,028; no men are bound to fish for
him--he supplies his fishers with goods, and settles yearly, 12,029;
does not do much barter, 12,037; eggs looked on as money,
12,038; never pays for hosiery in cash, 12,039; there is no profit,
and sometimes a loss on it, 12,041; men commonly cure their own
fish, 12,056; and sell them as they choose, 12,057; but are
expected to take them to proprietor, 12,058; could not get men to
fish for him, because they considered themselves tied to landlord,
12,080; in ling fishing the price was, thirty years since, fixed at the
beginning of the season, but the practice died out, 12,090; at that
time men were all free, 12,091; thinks the price of green fish
should be fixed at the beginning of season, 12,104; it is an
understanding amongst men that they shall buy their goods where
they sell their fish, 12,112; men curing for themselves are more to
be relied on as customers at his shop, and are more persevering,
12,135; people in Shetland are very temperate, 12,148.
GEORGESON, Ross (analysis of his evidence, p. 412), is skipper
of a Faroe smack, lives in Scalloway, 16,310; has gone to Faroe
fishing for 15 or 16 years, 16,312; lately in the employment of Mr.
Leask, 16,311; has always had an account with Mr. Leask when in
his smacks, 16,314; gets the balance that is due in cash, 16,321;
and advances throughout year, 16,322; would get payment in cash
in full if he wished it, 16,328; banks his money with Mr. Leask,
16,330; never knew of men not taking goods from agent, 16,340.
GIFFORD, Francis (analysis of his evidence, p. 391), seaman in
Bressay, 15,488; goes to sealing and whaling, 15,489; under
various agents, 15,490; is now paid at the Custom-house, 15,491;
previously settled with agent at his shop, 15,492; got balance
sometimes in cash, 15,500; has his account read [Page 443] over
to him now before going to the Custom-house, and on leaving pays
it, 15,515, 15,516; thinks agents like to re-engage men who are
indebted to them, 15,222.
GIFFORD, Mrs. Margaret Smith or (analysis of her evidence, p.
410), lives in Lerwick, 16,203; knits haps, 16,204; for Mr. Sinclair,
16,205; sold the last for 6s. in goods, 16,209; in buying articles
occasionally for cash, has found no difference in prices, 16,214.
GIFFORD, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 197), is factor on
the estate of Busta, 8077; the largest in Shetland, 8078; very few
tenants have leases, 8083; they are free to fish, 8084; there is no
opposition to the opening of shops, 8097; knows of no
arrangement by which merchants become bound for the debts of
men on hiring them, 8126; but there was one formerly, 8127; sales
of cattle, 8130-8134; marking and selling of cattle for debt, 8135;
not common, but is practised, 8136; believes short settlements
would be beneficial to the character of the people, 8147; but does
not think they would be practicable, 8149; the payment of hosiery
in goods is a bad system, 8156.
GILBERTSON, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 230),
fisherman and tenant at Harra, Mid Yell, 9553; is free to fish,
9555; generally deals with merchant for whom he fishes, 9557; in
some cases payment at an earlier time in the season would be an
advantage, 9569; never knew fish-curer refuse money for payment
of rent, 9572; thinks weekly payment would be an advantage, as
they would keep men from incurring debt, and enable them to go
to the best market, 9579; goods are dearer at merchant's store,
9583.
GILBERTSON, Henry (analysis of his evidence, p. 111), is a
fisherman at Dunrossness, 4497; corroborates Wm. Goudie (p.
105), 4502; although a lodger with his brother-in-law, is bound
to fish for landlord, 4508; because his brother-in-law would be
warned if he did not, 4509; if at liberty he could make a larger
profit, 4516, 4517; prices at the store are higher, 4542.
-(recalled, p. 117). Was at Fair Isle three weeks previously, 4729;
and heard great complaints there of the high prices charged at the
store, 4734.
GILBERTSON, Henry (analysis of his evidence, p. 333), sailor
and post-office keeper at Virkie, near Sumburgh, 13,403; men in
neighbourhood are bound to fish for tacksmen, and most of them
deal at store, 13,404; they are not compelled, unless by want of
cash, 13,405; has purchased goods at store, 13,407; quality
variable, prices higher than at other places, 13,408; men are afraid
to give evidence before commissioner, 13,421; their principal
complaints are that the settlement is made too late in the season,
and that they have not liberty, 13,425; men 43 years ago were
bound to fish, and the fish were so badly managed that they only
got about 3s. 11d. per cwt. for them--men were then freed on
payment of 15s. per head of liberty money, 13,430; in 1860 men
were again bound, 13,431.
GOODLAD, Alexander (analysis of his evidence, p. 414), is a
seaman in Lerwick, 16,389; requires to deal with sealing and
whaling agent, as his half-pay notes are not sufficient to maintain
his family, and no one but the agent will give him credit, 16,390;
has endeavoured to obtain credit from other dealers, 16,394; and
has generally been refused, 16,395; and told that he should take his
goods from the agent from whom he got his ship, 16,405; men
generally deal with agent if they think his goods are cheap and
good; but if not, they take advances and buy elsewhere, 16,413;
looks over his account with merchant before going to the
Custom-house for payment, and settles on coming back, 16,417,
16,418.
GOODLAD, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 24), fisherman in
Burra, and tenant, 1179; corroborates previous witnesses, 1181,
1182; goes to Faroe fishing, 1183; his family is supplied by his
agent in his absence, 1188; but cannot easily get money, 1191;
knitting, 1201; paid in goods, 1202; knitters cannot get money,
1202-1204; the people are so poor that merchants have complete
power over them, 1206; Faroe fishing system, 1214-1217.
GOUDIE, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 124), fisherman and
tenant at Garth, 5032; corroborates James Flawes (p.121), 5034;
meal, 5044; is dearer at store than elsewhere, 5045; tobacco also
dearer, 5053.
GOUDIE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 105), fisherman at
Toab, 4255; obliged to fish for landlord, 4256; never knew of fines
being imposed, 4274; no obligation as to any produce other than
fish, 4279, 4280; price is fixed at settlement, 4283; is not bound to
deal with merchant, but is compelled by the present system, 4298,
4299; the quality of store articles is good, but they are dear, 4313-
4317; price of meal, 4316-4332; never had a pass-book, 4337;
under the present system men have an advantage in bad seasons,
4363; boys are obliged to act as beach boys, 4367-4369; whales
driven ashore by men, 4405; complains that a third of the oil is
appropriated by the landlord, 4406; thinks the men should have
liberty and leases of their lands, 4413, 4414; and that it would
benefit men to let them cure for themselves, 4424.
GRAY, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 253), mason at
Bailiasta, 10,412; worked formerly in chromate of iron quarries,
10,413; wages paid in cash, 10,419; has heard of men getting lines,
10,424; does not know what for, 10,426-10,428.
GRAY, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 262), is a fisherman to
Mr. Sandison, 10,751; at Snarravoe, 10,752; but for his assistance,
would have been starved in two bad seasons, 10,753; gets cash
when he asks it, but cannot ask much, as he is indebted, 10,763,
10,764.
GREEN, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 145), is a
boat-skipper, 5845; fishes at Stenness, 5846; delivers fish to
dealer, 5847; corroborates the evidence of Mr. Adie (p. 138), 5850,
5851; does not think a shorter settlement would be an advantage,
5853; deals at merchant's store, 5856; goods not dearer than at
other shops, 5862-5864.
GREIG, Clementina (analysis of her evidence, p. 283), lives at
Braehead, Scalloway, with her sister, 11,527; has supported herself
by knitting for a very long time, 11,529; never got any money for
hosiery, except in sales to visitors, 11,531; always uses her own
wool, 11,532; merchants pay insufficient prices, 11,533; even in a
great emergency could not get money from merchant, 11,535;
merchant will only sell worsted for money, 11,545; has offered to
take a lower price for hosiery in money, but could not get it,
11,555; women occasionally exchange goods for provisions,
11,559.
GREIG, David (analysis of his evidence, p. 170), is manager
for Hay & Co. at North Roe, 7100; fishermen hold their land on
the understanding that they fish for dealer, 7111; tenants fishing
for other curers not punished, 7119; never knew a man leave
employment because of being indebted, 7167; kelp, 7176-7179;
purchase of boats, 7208-7211; winter fishing, 7212-7227; cattle,
7228; marking of cattle for debt, 7235-7238; sales of cattle, 7248;
are conducted on perfectly fair principles, 7253-7255; increase of
paupers, 7272.
GRIERSON, Andrew John (analysis of his evidence, p. 379), is
proprietor of the estate of Quendale, 15,048; and fish-curer for
eleven years, 15,049; Mr. Ogilvy Jamieson keeps his shop at
Quendale for supply of fishermen and neighbours, 15,050; hires
no boats--men have their own, 15,053; tenants in Sandsting are
perfectly free, so long as they pay their rents, 15,060; men at
Quendale hold their ground under obligation to fish, 15,061; they
are satisfied, 15,062; thinks that it is beneficial for tenants if the
landlord is a good business man, 15,064; rents would be raised if
men were not bound to deliver their fish, 15,065; men salting their
own fish would turn out a useless and inferior article, and would
still depend for supplies and for a market upon the merchant, and it
would only encourage a system of dishonesty, 15,068; men having
liberty are generally more deeply in debt than others, 15,071; a
ready money system would not keep them out of debt, 15,078; if
cash payment for fish were enforced by law, men would likely
wish to revert to the old system, 15,081; men will not stick to a
bargain, 15,082; men are not so poor as represented, and often
have deposits in banks, 15,090; has sometimes exacted liberty
money, 15,100; expects sons of tenants to serve on beach, 15,102;
cannot understand how small dealers can give a price for fish
higher than the current one, 15,103; fishermen are very difficult to
deal with, 15,106.
HALCROW, Jane (analysis of her evidence, p. 103), lives in
Sandwick, 4166; knits for Mr. R. Linklater with his wool, 4167; is
paid in goods, 4168; once asked but never got money, 4169, 4170
she could get goods cheaper at other houses, 4173-4186.
HALCROW, Jane (analysis of her evidence, p. 178), lives at
Hillswick with her mother, 7418; who is a widow, 7419; and.
tenant of land, 7420; knits, 7425; is paid generally in goods, 7430;
gets a little money and stamps, 7431; would prefer, but never
asked, payment in cash, 7436; eggs, 7448; are paid for in cash if
asked, 7449; tea, 7452.
HALCROW, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 324), fisherman at
Levenwick and tenant under Mr. Bruce,. 13,080; formerly bound
to fish for Robert Mouat, 13,082; the articles at his store were bad
and overpriced, 13,085; most men were bound to deal with him,
13,088; and to take all their farm produce to him, 13,089; had to
deal because they could not get money, 13,090; he gave money for
cattle but very seldom otherwise, 13,091 - [Page 444] 13,093; at
settlement he would not pay money, 13,102; paid rent to Mouat
two years in advance, and when he failed had to pay it again, 13,105.
HALCROW, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 392), seaman,
15,546; goes on sealing and whaling voyages, 15,547; generally
gets his outfit from the agent he engages with, 15,549; on one
occasion could not get balance and an allowance from the
Shipwrecked Mariners' Fund in cash, 15,552-15,568; corroborates
Francis Gifford (p. 391), 15,585; men indebted get a ship more
readily, 15,587.
HALCROW, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 115), fisherman
and tenant at Dunrossness, 4646; is bound to deliver his fish to
landlord, 4647; corroborates William Goudie (p. 105), 4647-4649;
knitting--thinks that to some knitters payment in cash would be an
advantage, while to others goods are better, 4650; when new
tacksman came to Dunrossness, notice was given by a bill in a
public place that men were bound to fish for him, and would be
removed if they did not, 4559, 4560; goods are somewhat dearer at
fish-curer's store, 4662-4668; but there is no obligation to deal
there, 4671; and men have freedom in disposing of their farm
stock, 4673-4683; short warning is a great hardship, 4688; does
not think payment for fish on delivery would be an advantage
except to young men, 4692; meal is dearer at store than elsewhere,
4706-4718.
HARCUS, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 288), is a small
merchant in Scalloway, 11,782; deals with fishermen, but does not
buy fish, 11,783; does not give credit, 11,784; his trade would be
improved by the introduction of a cash system, 11,786; his weekly
drawings are larger at settlement time, 11,794; does not think
weekly or monthly payments would be practicable, 11,797; buys
lobsters and oysters, and pays in cash, 11,800-11,803; hosiery is a
bad speculation, 11,824; has tried the plan of giving meal for it,
and found he had no profit, 11,824; hosiery should be paid in cash,
11,826; settlements in Shetland take a long time, owing to the
men's ignorance of arithmetic, 11,833-11,836; when whales are
drawn ashore by the men, one-third of the oil is taken by the
landlord--thinks this unfair, 11,856-11,860. In letter afterwards
sent to commissioner, says (p. 290) that he is in favour of short
settlements, even if for no other reason than that they would
benefit his trade; but thinks them impracticable at present owing to
the distance of the fishing grounds from the curers' headquarters,
and time would be lost which the crews could not afford to lose.
The ignorance of men in arithmetic would also be a hindrance.
HARPER, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 252), is a fisherman
to Spence & Co. at Norwick, 10,384; and tenant, 10,385; two
prices are charged at store for cash and credit, 10,393, 10,394;
was a skipper under another dealer formerly, and changed his
employment because he was made to believe that he was obliged
to work for his landlord, 10,402; finds now that he was not bound
by his lease, 10,402; but was threatened indirectly at the time,
10,405.
HARPER, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 113), is a fisherman at
Lingord, 4573; and tenant of land, 4574; is bound to deliver his
fish, 4575; corroborates William Goudie (p. 105), Laurence Smith
(p. 110), and Henry Gilbertson (p. 111), 4576, 4577; men would
like liberty to cure their own fish, 4584; thinks they would make a
larger profit, 4588-4603; states that men are obliged to work for
landlord three days in summer, three in harvest, and three in
spring, in all nine days annually, without receiving either pay or
victual, 4605.
HARRISON, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 187), is a
merchant at Urrafirth, Hillswick, 7657; deals in groceries, 7661;
and cotton, 7662; had some difficulty in obtaining leave to open a
shop, 7664; does a small business in curing and drying fish, 7673;
and has shop to supply men, 7675; fish-merchants commonly take
over the debts of men who leave other employers to come to them,
7751.
HARRISON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 415), is a merchant
in Lerwick, and partner of Harrison & Son, 16,427; has had long
experience in the Faroe fishing business, 16,428; and a little of
the ling fishing, 16,429; his firm has no connection with the
management of any land or property, 16,430; men who wished to
engage with him have been prevented by their landlords or
tacksmen, 16,433; men are bound entirely to landlord for both
home and Faroe fishings, and young men dare not disobey the
landlord, because their parents would be ejected if they did,
16,437; men free of debt and with money are bound equally with
indebted men, 16,440; believes that he and his firm have been the
most successful owners of fishing vessels in the Faroe trade, and
that this is because all the men they employ are free, 16,445;
indebted men are not the best fishermen, 16,448; it is not
advantageous for a merchant to have a great number of debtors,
16,449; the principal evil of Shetland is the system of land tenure,
by which no man has a lease, 16,461; and which binds men to fish,
16,463; thinks fish should be paid for on delivery, at the market
price, 16,467; the letting of beaches is not legal, 16,471; the
introduction of a cash system might cause difficulty at first, but
the result would be a great increase in the fisheries, and the
emancipation of the men, 16,477; Shetland fishermen have a great
advantage in possessing pieces of ground which support them
for at least six months per year, 16,478; were cash payments
introduced, men would have much more facility in getting goods
at the lowest possible price, 16,481; men have a fear that the
introduction of a cash system would deprive them of the means of
support in a bad season, 16,482; and this very probably kept men
from coming forward to give evidence, 16,483; thinks that so long
as landlords and tacksmen are engaged in the fishery, any system
of cash payments will do little good, 16,489; in the Faroe trade
believes that the owners would agree to a settlement at the end
of each voyage, but that the men would not, 16,493; and that a
settlement at the end of the season is an advantage to them,
16,494; men invariably take a part, at least, of their supplies from
the curer who employs them, 16,506; they have no alternative
unless they have cash, and men even with it generally take their
supplies from the merchant, 16,507.
HARRISON, William B. M. (analysis of his evidence, p. 395), is
a partner of Harrison & Sons, 15,705; engaged extensively in the
Faroe fishing trade, 15,706; terms of agreement in that fishery,
15,707; men mostly deal at shop, 15,720; there are very few who
do not have a balance to receive at settlement, 15,721; men who
have money prefer to take goods on credit, 15,724; men in home
fishing are not allowed credit above a certain sum, 15,732; the
introduction of a cash system would be an advantage more to the
curers than to men, 15,745; but there would be no difficulty in
working it after it was once fairly introduced, 15,749; would pay
men weekly in full according to the market, 15,751; men have
been asked to agree to such an arrangement, but will not, 15,752;
curer would not be able to make any advances in bad seasons,
15,760; does not think a system of partial payment on delivery and
a yearly settlement of the remainder of the price would be fair for
the curer, 15,762; curers are paid entirely in cash, 15,770; are not
given credit 15,771; this plan is not practised by other agents,
15,772.
HAY, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 132), fisherman at Firth,
about a mile from Mossbank, 5335; and tenant, 5336; fishes for
Mr. Adie in ling fishing, 5337; paid current rate at the end of the
season, 5339; settlement at Martinmas, 5341; Mr. Adie's nearest
store is 71/2 miles distant, 4344; generally goes there for his goods,
not because he is bound to do so, 4345; but simply because it has
been his custom, 4346; never refused advances of cash, 5372;
would prefer to have a price fixed at the beginning of the season,
5377.
HAY, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 255), formerly a
merchant at Haroldswick, is now a farmer, 10,519; cured fish,
10,520; preferred a ready money business, 10,522; found it very
difficult to deal so because of the general custom, 10,526; believes
if once started it would be a benefit, 10,527; monthly payments
would make men more independent, 10,528; thinks the condition
of the people much improved lately, 10,544; and men are generally
free to fish now, 10,551.
HENDERSON, Isabella (analysis of her evidence, p. 285), lives
in Scalloway with her father and sister, 11,624; she and her sister
support the family by knitting, 11,626; sells veils to merchants
for goods, 11,631; cannot get money, 11,634; has often had to
exchange goods for provisions, or sell lines, 11,637.
HENDERSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 136), fisherman
at Mossbank, 5502; not bound to fish unless going to the Skerries,
5504; fishes for Mr. Pole, 5505; deals very little at his store, 5507;
is not obliged to go there, 5509; goods are rather dearer there,
5513; would like a system of payment on delivery, 5532.
HENDERSON, Magnus (analysis of his evidence, p. 239), is a
small proprietor near Haroldswick, 9918; once engaged in fishing,
9920; men generally fish for landlord, 9924; fishermen generally
deal with merchant, 9930; but are not compelled, 9931; debts are
very often transferred to the books of new employers, 9940; cash
payments would benefit some men, not others, 9945; thinks the
fishermen would not be much in favour of having a price fixed at
the beginning of the season, 9951; does not think they would agree
to [Page 445] weekly wages, 9952; a ready money system would
be an improvement, 9974.
HENDERSON, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 315), is a
fisherman and farmer in Skerries, 12,732; and bound to fish for
Mr. Adie, 12,734; was told so by landlord's agent, 12,736; deals
at the landlord's store and settles yearly, 12,739; gets money when
he wishes, 12,740; may deal elsewhere if he has money, 12,742;
would prefer liberty in fishing, 12,750; goods are dearer at
Skerries than Lerwick, 12,756; cattle are generally sold to
landlord, 12,758.
HENDERSON, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 318), is a son
of Gavin Henderson, merchant at Scousburgh, Dunrossness,
12,831; and manages his business, 12,832; deals in drapery,
groceries, ironmongery, coal, timber, etc., 12,835; deals a little in
hosiery and eggs, 12,836; buys fish, principally in winter, 12,839;
he gives men credit for goods, but does not like to do so, as fish is
the only security they can give, and they are bound or engaged to
fish for others, 12,856-12,859; he generally pays winter fishing in
cash on delivery, 12,879; or gives an I.O.U., or puts the amount
to their account, 12,881; the price of summer fishing should be
fixed at the beginning of the season, or from time to time,
12,885-12,887; but weekly payments should not be made, 12,888;
there is not much fish smuggled, 12,908; buys hosiery for cash,
12,913; knitters are willing to take a lower price in cash, 12,915;
goods bartered by merchants to knitters are very much overpriced,
12,917; eggs paid in goods or cash as wished, 12,928.
-(recalled, p. 332). Explains, with reference to statement that in
buying fish he paid for it on delivery, that in some cases accounts
are settled annually at the end of the winter or spring fishings,
13,340.
HERRING Fishery, 879, 981, 1002, 1135, 3880, 8154, 8605,
8630, 10,336, 10,563, 14,108, 15,194, 15,740, 16,945.
HOME Fishing, 1208, 5594, 6901, 6940, 10,512, 10,912,
11,909.
HOSIERY, Statements as to the sale of, 71, 221,306, 368, 764,
898, 1077, 1084, 1201, 1366, 1420, 1476, 1562, 1608, 1648, 1698,
1729, 1848, 1902, 1941, 1969, 1973, 2030, 2075, 2120, 2370,
2667, 2770, 2824, 2906, 3059, 3215, 3246, 3310, 3418, 3445,
3451, 3497, 3568, 3612, 3900, 4094, 4140, 4167, 4201, 4650,
5093, 5176, 5741, 5962, 6004, 6136, 6297, 6342, 6444, 6641,
6852, 7291, 7425, 8033, 8156, 8163, 8254, 8309, 8488, 8896,
8971, 9052, 9401, 9547, 9714, 9731, 9793, 10,182, 10,306,
10,449, 11,227, 11,463, 11,529, 11,564, 11,587, 11,626, 11,672,
11,684, 11,757, 11,824, 11,895, 11,997, 12,038, 12,217, 12,295,
12,346, 12,836, 12,913, 12,963, 13,814, 14,036, 14,281, 14,291,
14,697, 15,335, 15,360, 15,785, 15,921, 16,010, 16,040, 16,070,
16,084, 16,094, 16,128, 16,130, 16,136, 16,204, 16,657, 16,658.
16,660, 17,015.
-No profit on, 2199, 2523, 2758, 2793, 2842, 2921, 3088, 3312,
3584, 3900, 5743, 6645, 7314, 9402, 11,824, 12,041, 12,463,
12,923,16,658.
-Payment of, in goods, and complaints as to, 81, 160, 229, 238,
352, 355, 377, 764, 1078, 1174, 1202, 1370, 1439, 1480, 1522,
1586, 1616, 1652, 1704, 1754, 1855, 1947, 2127, 2671, 2771,
2827, 3458, 3501, 3575, 4102, 4142, 4168, 4206, 5093, 5193,
5742, 6138, 6346, 6448, 6642, 6854, 7294, 7430, 8156, 8314,
9549, 9746, 9797, 10,200, 10,308, 11,227, 11,464, 11,531, 11,590,
11,631, 11,674, 11,898, 12,038, 14,039, 15,364, 15,786, 16,066,
16,097, 16,657, 16,660.
-Money obtained for, 8, 312, 316, 1566, 1674, 1708, 1759, 1856,
1906, 1951, 1972, 1998, 2040, 2079, 2373, 3421, 4111, 3593,
11,688, 12,913, 15,363, 16,065, 16,080, 17,026.
-Payment in cash preferred, 29, 1581, 1630, 1675, 1809, 1924,
3511, 4103, 4173, 4210, 6006, 7437, 11,826, 16,103.
-Price fixed by merchant, 9, 421, 1091, 1440, 1617.
HOUSTON, John S. (analysis of his evidence, p. 233), is parochial
schoolmaster at North Yell, 9653; fishermen are suspicious that
merchants do not give them a sufficiently high price, 9670; does
not think justifiably, 9673; does not see that men would be
benefited by any alterations in present system of payment for fish,
9676; settlement should be earlier, 9679, 9680; but thinks
fishermen would be dissatisfied, 9682; marking and sale of cattle
for debt is still practised, 9690; fish-curer have very little profit,
9698; the condition of Shetland is much improved, 9709; the
present system of hosiery dealings is bad, 9714; high price is
charged for goods, 9715.
HUGHSON, Hugh (analysis of his evidence, p. 231), is a merchant
at Gossaburgh, 9585; cures a few fish, 9586; buys for ready
money, 9587; thinks a ready money system would be an
advantage, 9592; long credit is a great evil, 9596; but a cash
system might be bad for poor men, 9599; advances are necessary,
9600.
HUGHSON, Mrs. Mary (analysis of her evidence, p. 155), wife
of fisherman and tenant of land in Hillswick, 6338; her husband is
also a labourer, 6340; hosiery is always paid in goods, 6346; never
asked cash, 6347; kelp, 6353; paid in goods, 6371.
HUMPHRAY, Alexander (analysis of his evidence, p. 316), is
a fisherman in Skerries, 12,797; lives with his father, who is a
tenant, 12,798; fishes for Mr. Adie, 12,799; men are obliged to fish
for him, 12,800; there is a merchant in Skerries who would give a
higher price for fish, but men dare not sell them to him, 12,800;
beach boys are expected to take out their fees in goods, 12,813;
interest at five per cent. is charged on debts, 12,821; goods at store
are overpriced, 12,826.
HUTCHISON, Mary (analysis of her evidence, p. 31), lives in
Lerwick, 1561; knits, 1562; with her own wool, 1563; sends her
articles to a dealer in Edinburgh, 1564; and is paid in cash, 1566;
acts as his agent (1565), employing women to knit, supplying
wool, and paying in ready money, 1569-1575; women prefer
this system, 1581; sometimes sells shawls at a shop, 1586; and
gets a line or I.O.U., 1589; often buys these from knitters to
accommodate them, 1592, 1593.
HUTCHISON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 313), is a
fisherman and tenant in Skerries, 12,616; under Mr. Bruce, 12,617;
pays rent to Mr. Adie, and fishes for him, 12,618-12,620; is bound
to do so, 12,621; under penalty of eviction, 12,625; never knew of
a man having offended, 12,626; men are obliged to deal at curer's
store, because of their want of money, 12,636; are put on an
allowance if they have exceeded their credit, 12,641-12,643; the
price of goods at the store is much higher than elsewhere, 12,658;
is obliged to sell farm produce at the merchant's store, 12,689; men
fined for going to Greenland fishing, 12,698; fathers are ejected
for their sons' misdemeanours, 12,706; this, however, refers rather
to a former state of matters, as there are no fines imposed now, and
farm produce can be sold to any one at discretion, 12,713, 12,726.
-(recalled, p. 316). Got £17, 19s. by summer fishing last year,
12,767; that sum is about as much as any other man would get,
12,768.
IMMORALITY and prostitution fostered by the system of
paying for hosiery with goods, 14,711.
INDEBTEDNESS, Connection with long settlements, 5234,
5653, 5981, 6537, 7475, 7937, 8564, 10,538.
-General statements as to, 5998, 6512, 6875, 7174, 7354, 7475,
8017, 10,925, 10,957, 11,076, 12,306, 12,821, 13,808, 14,172,
14,302.
-Impossible to keep men clear in a bad year, 3623, 3793, 6274.
-the great trouble of merchants, 3623, 5148, 8016, 12,295.
INDEBTED Men bound to fish for curer, 3852, 5554, 5829,
6092, 7010, 7054, 8695.
-Allowances to. <See> Allowances, etc.
-Generally change employer, 6822, 6875, 7354, 10,957, 16,566.
-Merchants prefer to re-engage, 15,522, 15,587, 15,629,
16,280.
INKSTER, Mrs. Ann Leask or (analysis of her evidence, p. 286),
lives in Scalloway, 11,671; knits for Mr. Sinclair, 11,672; is paid
in money by strangers, 11,673; but never by dealers--never asked
for cash, 11,674·
INKSTER, Daniel (analysis of his evidence, p. 373), is a seaman,
living in Lerwick for two years past, previously in the North Isles
under Mr. Walker, 14,814; has been at sealing, and whaling, and
the ling fishing for a number of years, 14,815; was ejected by Mr.
Walker, 14,816; because he could not pay his rent, although he
took his crops and sold them, and put him in danger of starving-
this is commonly done, 14,820; settlement of whaling voyages
made in full, 14,839; men are not obliged, or even told, to go and
settle their shop accounts, 14,841; goods are as cheap at agent's.
store as elsewhere, 14,860; has had allowance from Shipwrecked
Mariners' Fund, and got it in cash from agent, 14,863-14,865.
INTEREST charged on debts, 12,821.
IRVINE, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 335), is a fisherman
at Garthbanks, on the Quendale estate, 13,485; hands in a
document, signed by twenty-eight men on that property, stating
they are honourably dealt with by Mr. A. J. Grierson, their present
landlord, and desire to continue to fish for him, 13,486; has fished
for thirteen years to Mr. Grierson, 13,487; and has always been
paid the currency, 13,489; could not have got a higher price,
13,490; wrote the document handed in himself, on previous night,
13,493; of his own accord, 13,494; men were quite willing to sign
it, and more would have signed it if they had been asked, [Page
446] 13,499; deals at store, 13,507; is paid in cash at settlement,
13,508; is satisfied with the price and quality of store goods,
13,519.
IRVINE, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 324), is shopkeeper
at Grutness to Mr. John Bruce, jun., 13,127; men on Sumburgh
estate are understood to be bound to fish for landlord, but some do
not, 13,130; tenants are reproved, but, he thinks, never ejected for
selling fish to another merchant, 13,141; settlements are made
yearly, 13,159; balance is always paid in cash, 13,161; men
indebted, or who have been indebted, are only allowed to take a
certain quantity of meal weekly from store, 13,179-13,181; price
of cotton, 13,200; tobacco, 13,204; store is only kept for the
accommodation of fishermen, 13,208; there is no profit on it,
13,209; men's rents are lower, because they are expected to fish,
13,253, 13,254.
IRVINE, Janet (analysis of her evidence, p. 3), supports herself by
knitting and working in a fish-curing establishment, 71, 72; gets
money when she wishes from one dealer, but cannot from any
other, 81-90; is paid in money at fish-curing establishment--deals
at shop kept by fish-curer, but is not obliged, 120-148.
IRVINE, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 390), broker and
general dealer in Lerwick, 15,469; deals also in provisions to a
small extent, 15,470; deals mostly with men, buys and sells
clothes, 15,472, 15,476; seldom deals with knitters, 15,479.
IRVINE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 83), partner of Hay
& Co., merchants in Lerwick, 3619; Hay & Co. have curing
stations in several parts of the islands, and manage four estates,
two as factors and two as lessees, 3623; the tenants on one of the
first are free to fish where they choose, and dispose of all their
produce as they please, <ib>.; on the other they are also free
(excepting the island of Whalsay and Whalsay Skerries), and
to dispose of their produce as they please, <ib>.; balances paid
in cash, and people are well-to-do and not in debt; Shetland
fishermen not ignorant and uneducated; many have sailed to all
parts of the world, and now that communication is so much more
frequent and easy with the Mainland, they are much better
informed, and goods have very much increased in value; fishermen
are charged for goods the same price as the public pay in ready
money; carpenters and tradesmen employed by Hay & Co. are paid
in cash weekly: at the Burra Islands have two curing stations;
fishermen are paid regular prices, and the tenants have complete
liberty in the sale of their produce; there is no shop on the island,
and men get supplies from our stores at Lerwick and Scalloway;
in bad seasons credit is given to the men, on one occasion the
island being indebted to the amount of £1000: in Faroe fishing,
crews are engaged on shares; fish salted on board, and landed at
curing stations wet, <ib>.; fishings of all kinds succeed best when
men are paid by shares; when paid monthly wages they have no
inducement to work, and the season being short, the utmost
activity is necessary, <ib>.; Shetland fishermen are, on the whole,
better off than many of the same class in other parts of the
kingdom, <ib>.; the profit of curers on fish is very small; bad
debts are a great drawback; a ready money system would be
scarcely possible to carry out; it would, entail an additional
expense on merchants, which, with their small profits, they could
ill afford; small traders would be driven out of the market, and the
fishermen would eventually suffer, <ib>.; the statements made
before the Truck Commission in Edinburgh were very absurd,
especially one to the effect that a merchant would not thrive unless
he accumulated a great quantity of bad debts; thinks the fishing
trade as it is cannot be altered for the better, and that any Act
of Parliament interfering with it will only have the effect of
destroying it, 3623; dealing at store is optional, 3640; there has
never been any application made for permission to open another
shop in Whalsay, 3642, 3648; does not know if such an application
would be granted, 3649; does not think fishermen employed by
him ever smuggle away fish, 3655; system of book-keeping,
3668-3673; settlements are generally over by the end of the year,
3688; markets for fish, 3698, 3699; prices paid by curers are
generally the same, 3708-3710; large deposits are made in bank
by men, 3735, 3736; written obligation given by Burra men eight
years ago, but never acted on, 3750-3754; it is only in the home
fishing that men are bound to deliver their fish, 3764; payment of
monthly wages has been agreed to and afterwards repudiated by
men, 3833; purchase of boats, 3839-3847; to permit debts is a
bad system, 3877; herring fishery, 3880; weekly settlements
impossible, 3896; hosiery trade yields, no profit, 3900; does
not think a much higher price is charged for goods by hosiery
merchants, 3909; men curing their own fish, 3943; would not do it
so well, and so would get a smaller price, 3746; Mouat, 3948;
oyster fishing, 3970, 3981; shops not permitted in Burra, because
of the sale of tea and excisable goods, 3971, 3972; Greenland
whale fishery, 3991; monthly notes, 4016-4078; Greenland fishers
seldom indebted, 4054.
JAMIESON, Andrew B. (analysis of his evidence, p. 353), clerk
to Mr. Leask for nineteen years, 14,161; principally concerned in
settlements with seamen employed in the Greenland whale fishery,
14,163; men at settlement, before the system of payment at the
Customhouse, paid the balance due them, and besides got cash
during the currency of their account if they wanted, 14,166; men
are seldom indebted to the full amount of their wages, 14,172; and
those who are, are young hands, 14,173; now the whole money is
paid to the men, and sometimes they return at once to the clerk the
amount of their accounts, 14,209; or they come down to the shop
immediately after settlement, 14,212; men have never failed to pay
their accounts, 14,221; except in one single instance, 14,222; no
compulsion is exercised--the men go of their own accord, 14,249.
JAMIESON, Andrew B. (recalled, p. 357). States with regard to
the accountant of the Board of Trade's report, that he considers it
unjust to the agents in the Greenland trade--concurs generally in
the statements of Mr. William Robertson, (p. 265), 14,293; men
are not generally indebted to the amount of the money due them,
14,302; excepting in bad voyages, when young hands are generally
in debt, 14,303; families of men commonly have a weekly
allowance, 14,311; men not obliged to take their outfits from the
store, 14,316; knows no case of sums allowed by the Shipwrecked
Mariners' Society being retained for payment of a man's account,
14,349; it would only be done with the man's concurrence, 14,370.
JAMIESON, Arthur Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 193),
Was employed by commissioner to purchase articles at store of
Messrs. Pole, Hoseason, & Co., 7946; got and delivered certain
articles to clerk, 7947.
JAMIESON, Geo. (analysis of his evidence, p. 389), farmer and
fisherman at North Roe, on Busta estate, 15,400; formerly was
under Messrs. Hay--was suspended from fishing for four years,
because he refused to go in a boat with some old men, 15,402;
other fish-curers were prevented by them from hiring him, 15,403;
keeps two paupers--has for one £8, and for the other £3, 10s. per
annum--money is paid through Mr. Greig, who refuses payment of
more than a trifle in money, 15,406; is told that he must take a part
in truck, 15,442; is refused expenses for attending as witness
before commissioner, 15,468.
JAMIESON, Margaret (analysis of her evidence, p. 350), lives
in Quarff, 14,035; knits and dresses, 14,036; purchases wool for
herself, 14,037; cannot get payment in cash--has been refused the
sum of one halfpenny, 14,039; gets wool in exchange for tea, or
clothes, or hosiery, 14,053; merchants often have no money in
their shops, 14,042.
JAMIESON, Ogilvy (analysis of his evidence, p. 332), shopkeeper
to Mr. Grierson at Quendale, 13,348; overseer, 13,349; and
bookkeeper, 13,350; beach boys paid by fees, 13,353; a condition
of holding is that the tenants shall supply boys when they have
them suitable, 13,361; men buying boats get advances from dealer,
13,399.
JOHNSTONE, Mrs. Agnes Malcolmson or (analysis of her
evidence, p. 104), lives in Lerwick, 4200; knits and sells to
merchant, 4201, 4202; is paid in goods, 4205; never got money,
excepting on one occasion sixpence, 4206; would prefer money,
4210; would take a lower price in cash, 4211; as she could buy
goods cheaper at other shop, 4215; and for other reasons, 4218,
4225; never had to exchange goods for money, but knows people
who have, 4226, 4228.
JOHNSON, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 374), is a tenant
and ling fisherman at Colafirth, near Ollaberry, 14,884; bound to
sell fish to factor, 14,890; thinks it would be an advantage to cure
his own fish, 14,893; merchants give a larger price for fish to free
men than bound men get, 14,894; prices at the store are higher
than they should be, 14,923, 14,928; would like liberty to sell his
fish to the highest bidder, 14,939; short settlements would be no
advantage unless men had freedom in fishing, 14,946.
JOHNSTON, Barbara (analysis of her evidence, p. 7), knits for
dealer, 369; has no pass-book, 371; is paid in goods, cannot get
money, 377-379; never got a line, 411; but never asked, 412;
merchant always fixes price of goods, 421, 422; thinks them
sometimes [Page 447] too low, 423-425; cannot get wool for
work done, 449.
JOHNSTON, Charlotte (analysis of her evidence, p. 397), lives at
Colafirth, near Ollaberry, 15,780; was seventeen years in Lerwick,
and kept lodgers and boarders, 15,781; now dresses hosiery, and
knits for Mr. Morgan Laurenson, 15,783; is always paid in goods,
15,786; runs an account, and cannot get it settled at short intervals,
15,790; different prices are charged by merchant for cash and
goods, 15,826; hands in statement from man who built a house for
her in 1863, stating that he was obliged to take payment from her
in goods, as witness could not get payment from Mr. Laurenson in
cash, 15,844; she had to give him goods for less than she got for
them, 15,845.
JOHNSTON, Mrs. Christian (analysis of her evidence, p. 99), lives
in Muckle Roe, and is wife of former fisherman, 8162; knits and
weaves grey cloth, 8163; gets wool from merchant, spins it, gives
it to 'wabster' to be woven, and sells to merchant, the price of wool
being deducted, 8166; gets money to pay 'wabster,' 8179; some
dealers pay for it in money and some do not, 8189.
JOHNSTON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 222), is tenant of
Mr. M'Queen at Burravoe, and fishes for Mr. Adie, 9222; formerly
tenant on Lunna estate---left because men were handed over to a
tacksman, with whom he had a dispute, and was bound to fish for
him, 9224; threatened to be ejected for not fishing, 9227;
fined for selling fish to another dealer, 9241.
JOHNSTON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 300), is a merchant
at Bridge of Walls, Sandsting, 12,219; business is the same as that
of Mr. Georgeson, with the exception that he has a spirit and
grocery licence, 12,226; spirits are always sold for cash, 12,228;
has accounts with a number of fishermen, 12,230; buys no fish,
12,236; has no security except the personal credit of the men,
12,240; thinks men have complete liberty in fishing, 12,247.
JOHNSTON, Magnus (analysis of his evidence, p. 191), is a
shopkeeper at Tofts, near Mossbank, 7843; deals in tea, tobacco,
and sugar, and buys fish, 7844; cures it himself, 7845; pays in
cash, 7851; formerly at Faroe fishing, 7860; men were of opinion
that they were not always allowed a fair price, 7869; meal, 7897;
thinks long payments and credit cause improvidence, 7931.
JOHNSTON, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 248), registrar
of Baltasound, lives at Balliasta, 10,206; formerly a fisherman,
10,207; men entirely free to fish then, 10,208; has a farm now,
10,216; deals at any shop, and pays ready money, 10,217.
JOHNSTONE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 62), merchant
in Lerwick, 2822; pays knitters generally in goods, but sometimes
gives a little money, 2827; there is often no profit, and sometimes
a loss, on hosiery, 2842-2860; would prefer cash payments, 2863;
price of goods would be reduced, 2866; does not give lines, 2875;
lines used as a currency, 2880; never heard of goods being taken
from shop and sold to obtain cash, 2896; will sell any yarn, except
Shetland yarn, for either cash or goods, 2897; merchants do not
sell it, 2899, 2990.
KELP, 5262, 6325, 6353, 6463, 6628, 6851, 7176, 7986,
8838, 8973, 9349, 10,088, 13,293, 13,814, 14,143.
KNITTERS, Getting of worsted by, 2897, 11,579.
Selling or bartering of goods or lines by, 236, 986, 993, 1487,
1528, 1592, 1627, 1879, 2190, 2587, 2896, 3516, 3599, 4112,
4147, 4226, 6697, 11,475, 11,559, 11,578, 11,601, 11,637, 11,698,
11,759, 11,998, 12,037, 14,053, 15,336, 15,845, 16,657.
Whether much in debt, 2350, 2378.
Amount of tea sold to, 2437, 3205, 6696,11,578, 11,764.
LAURENSON, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 41), is a dealer
in hosiery in Lerwick, 2120; and partner in the oldest firm of
merchants there, 2121; buys knitted goods, and gives wool out to
be knitted, but principally the former, 2126; pays in goods,
2127-2130; the practice of barter is of long continuance in
Shetland, 2132; and that of part payment in cash very recent,
2133-2136; never refuses to give cash, 2142; advances are often
made, 2150; sometimes pays the whole value of hosiery in cash,
2168; two prices, cash and goods, 2171-2173; cash system would
prevent dealers from taking knitted work so readily as at present,
as they would then buy only what they actually required, 2177; but
yet thinks the cash system would ultimately be advantageous to all,
2179, 2204, 2248; as it would be simpler, 2180; as a general rule,
believes women cannot get cash, 2184; merchants have no profit
on hosiery, but only on the drapery goods sold to the workers,
2199; and often sell particular articles of hosiery at a loss, 2203;
system of pass-books, 2213-2241; does not give lines, 2235; wool
supply, 2288; always gives yarn for goods, 2291, 2292; but
believes some merchants do not, 2293; because they have little or
no profit on it, 2297-2312; yarn only kept by dealers for the use of
their own knitters, 2303; merchants have no hold over knitters,
2310; regular tariff of prices cannot be made, owing to the
differences of workmanship and pattern, 2327; knitters are
seldom much in debt, 2359, 2851.
LAURENSON, Arthur (recalled, p. 406). States, with reference to
the evidence of Mr. Walker (p. 402), that he always deals with
first-class houses, 16,029.
LAURENSON, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 414)
seaman at Mews, Dunrossness, and serves in the Naval Reserve,
16,380; has mostly gone south, 16,382; was two years at the ling
fishing, 16,384; dealt with merchant curer only for fishing
material, 16,385; had no advances, 16,386; but thinks he would
have got them if he had asked, 16,387.
LAURENSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 237), is a
fisherman at Burrafirth, 9816; and tenant, 9817; not bound to
fish, 9819; has no pass-book, 9827; winter fish is paid on delivery
in cash and goods, 9887, 9890; thinks meal and flour at store
sometimes not very good, 9899.
LAURENSON, Morgan (analysis of his evidence, p. 174), is a
merchant at Lochend, 7274; deals in drapery and provisions, 7275;
employs a few fishermen, 7276; deals in hosiery and pays in
goods, 7291; is seldom asked to give cash, 7295; gives lines rarely,
7299, 7300; never refused to give small sums in cash to a regular
knitter, 7304; occasionally buys special articles for cash, 7305;
giving a lower price, women unwilling to take cash, 7306; there is
no profit on hosiery, 7314; wool is very scarce, 7317; smuggling
of fish is very slightly carried on, 7336; men much indebted to
merchant often change their employer, 7354; it is not the
interest of the merchant to let debt be incurred, 7885.
LAURENSON, Simon (analysis of his evidence, p. 10).
Corroborates Andrew Tulloch (p. 9), 542, 543; wishes freedom in
fishing, 544; does not know exactly what landlord's system is, but
knows the tenants under him are not satisfied, 547.
LAURENSON, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 393), seaman
in Bressay, has been at sealing and whaling for thirty-six years,
latterly paid at Custom-house, 15,600; previously he could get no
clear account the state of his account, 15,601; corroborates Francis
Gifford (p. 391); knows that indebted men get a ship more easily
than others, 15,629.
LEASES, 621, 800, 919, 4258, 6749, 8033, 10,156, 12,252,
14,816, 15,124.
-desirable, 4413, 6749, 8067, 16,461.
-Men cannot get, 764.
LEASK, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 25) fisherman at
Channerwick, 1221; and yearly tenant, 1223, 1224; was bound for
the home fishing, but not for others, 1250; the price of fish was
fixed by the merchant (Robert Mouat), 1258; and paid in goods,
1276-1287; could not get money from him, 1294; sometimes sold
goods got at store to obtain money, 1290; produce of farms had to
be sold to tacksman, 1295; 1300; is now under a new merchant,
and is not so badly used, 1353, 1354; previously the people were
subjected to great tyranny, 1327-1352; knitting paid in goods,
1366; cannot get money, 1371.
LEASK, Joseph (analysis of his evidence p. 345, is one of the
largest employers in the Faroe trade and fish-curers in Shetland,
13,822; corroborates Mr William Robertson (pp. 265, 338),
13,823; small fish-curers can only exceptionally get higher prices,
12,827.
LEISK, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 366), is a partner of
Leisk & Sandison, merchants and shipping agents, Lerwick,
14,589; previously employed by Mr George Reid Tait, now
retired, 14,590; agrees generally with Mr. Tait (p. 363) as to the
way in which seamen are discharged and their wages paid, 14,593;
paid in cash, without any deductions even of allotments, 14,595;
allotments chiefly paid in cash, 14,605; men generally pay their
accounts on receiving their wages--only remembers one case of
defalcation, 14,628; only young hands are indebted to the full
amount of their pay, 14,634; men are free to go to any shop they
please for goods, 14,671.
LESLIE, Adam, junior (analysis of his evidence, p. 121),
fisherman at Toab, 4877; corroborates previous witnesses as to the
holding of land and fish, 4879; has no pass-book, 4881; always
gets money if he wishes, 4885; thinks goods dearer at store, 4887.
LESLIE, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 114), is a [Page 448]
in the fisherman at Dunrossness, 4610; and lives with his father,
who is a tenant of land, 4611; is bound to fish, 4612; corroborates
William Goudie (p. 105) and others, 4613; prices are much higher
at store, 4614; is at liberty to deal anywhere, 4627.
LESLIE, Henry (analysis of his evidence, p. 126), is a fisherman
and tenant at Gord, 5122; bound to fish for sixty years past, 5127;
obligation to fish has always been part of the condition of holding
land, 5133.
LESLIE, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 15), is a
fisherman at Lerwick, 739; corroborates Laurence Mail (p. 11),
742.
LESLIE, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 125), fisherman,
and lives with his father, who is a tenant at Hillwill, 5072; is bound
to fish, 5077; beach boys, 5086; knitting paid in goods--tweeds
refused in exchange for hosiery, 5093.
LEWIS, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 432), is a grocer and
wine merchant in Canongate, Edinburgh, for nearly forty years,
16,816; has examined samples sent to him, 16,818; and gives in a
report of their value, 16,819; thinks all the articles overcharged,
16,884.
LIBERTY Money, 625, 764, 786, 1012, 1130, 1211, 4483, 4510,
4948, 5060, 8909, 12,306, 13,372, 13,430, 13,552, 15,100.
LINES given to knitters, 248, 257, 329, 411, 1464, 1589, 1679,
1764, 1875, 1889, 1955, 1985, 2190, 2502, 2581, 2694, 2785,
2875, 3070, 3250, 3343, 3445, 3573, 3617, 4099, 6700, 7299,
9657, 9666, 9769, 9787, 10,452, 11,497, 11,637, 11,623, 12,881,
14,047, 15,812.
LINES to day labourers, 10,424, 10,735.
LING Fishery and price of ling, statements as to, 459, 744, 879,
2502, 3623, 6523, 9138, 9238, 9308, 9611, 11,347, 11,393,
11,909, 11,957, 12,089, 12,967, 13,645, 13,648, 13,813, 13,887,
14,885, 15,730, 16,384, 16,429, 16,466.
LINKLATER, Hugh (analysis of his evidence, p. 64),
merchant in Lerwick, 2905; buys knitted goods, 2906; sells
drapery, 2909; corroborates Mr. Laurenson generally, 2913; deals
very little in hosiery, 2914; generally sells drapery for cash, 2918.
LINKLATER, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 58), merchant
in Lerwick, 2666; deals in hosiery, and keeps a stock of drapery
and tea, 2667; conducts his business in a somewhat similar manner
to Mr. Robert Sinclair (p. 49), 2669; gives wool to be knitted, and
buys from knitters, 2670; pays principally in goods, 2671, 2674;
money only given exceptionally, 2675; most knitters have
pass-books, 2676; never refuses money, 2684-2692; gives no lines,
2694; money is seldom asked for, 2716; two prices for cash and
goods, 2726; gets a small profit on hosiery, 2728, 2730; it is
difficult to procure Shetland wool, 2752; does not sell it, 2753;
there is often no profit, and occasionally loss, on hosiery, 2758,
2760.
LONG Settlements, 501, 807, 4782, 5981, 9921, 10,702,
11,891.
-Men contented with, 5853.
-Men discontented with; 693, 1409, 9596.
M'LACHLAN, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 334), is
principal lightkeeper at Sumburgh Lighthouse, 13,436; obtains
supplies from Granton and Aberdeen, 13,437; has opened an
account with local dealer (Mr. Henderson), and finds goods
reasonable in price and good in quality, 13,442; has heard, but
does not know, that goods at Hay & Co.'s store are expensive,
13,449.
MAIL, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 11), is a fisherman,
548; and tenant of land, 549; complains that he is bound to deliver
all his fish to the landlord, Green, 559; is therefore obliged to deal
at landlord's store, 568; where goods are dearer, 568, and 598, 612;
fishermen are afraid to complain lest warned to leave, 572; and are
warned if they sell fish to any other dealer, 577-585; not obliged to
deal at store, but really compelled to do so by present system, 586;
goods are not inferior at store, 613; leases, 621; liberty money,
625; whales, 651; when driven on shore, one-third of the oil taken
by landlord, 657; and the rest of the price paid through the
proprietor, 655; believes that freedom in fishing would be a much
better system, 659; had a pass-book, but had to discontinue it, as
the storekeeper objected to keep it, 690; complains that men do not
know what they are earning or what goods they have till the end of
the season, and even then cannot get detailed accounts, 693; states
that he expects to be warned because of coming to give evidence,
722; merchants in bad seasons give credit to men, 731.
MAINLAND, Hans (analysis of his evidence, p. 120), fisherman,
4857; never dealt at store, 4859; because he heard that goods were
dearer, 4860; complains that in the system of ground letting no
compensation can be got for improvements, 4865; fishing alone is
not sufficient to support men, 4872.
MALCOLMSON, Elizabeth (analysis of her evidence, p. 408),
lives with her mother in Lerwick, 16,093; knits and sews--mother
knits, 16,094; knits fine veils and shawls, 16,096; paid always in
goods, 16,097.; never asked for money, 16,098; gets money for
sewing, 16,099; buys her provisions with this money, and money
obtained by letting lodgings, 16,101, 16,102; would prefer to get
money for hosiery, 16,103.
-(recalled, p. 409). Produces black veil bought from Mr.
Linklater which cost 1s. 4.1/2d., 16,136. )
MALCOLMSON, Malcolm (analysis of his evidence, p. 66),
fisherman at Channerwick, 2978; and his father is a tenant under
fish-curer, 2979; tenants under former tacksman (Robert Mouat)
fished for him, supposing they were bound, 2983; there was no
obligation, 2984; were forbidden to sell their fish to others, 2992;
and were threatened with ejectment if they did, 2994; one man was
ejected, 2994; and notice of ejectment was served on witness's
father because witness had sold fish to another merchant, 2997; but
being ill, was afterwards permitted to remain, 3003; men were
obliged to take goods from store, 3004; as they had no money,
3005; could not get any, 3006, 3007; goods were very bad, 3009.
MALCOLMSON, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 118),
fisherman and tenant at Northtown, 4771; corroborates William
Goudie (p. 105) and Laurence Smith (p. 110), 4772, 4773; knows
a case of ejectment for selling fish to other dealers, 4777; men
would make more if they were allowed to cure for themselves,
4780; long settlements are sometimes a disadvantage, 4782; not
many fishermen have deposits in bank, 4785; price of meal, 4788;
thinks meal dearer at factor's store, 4794; but quality good, 4799.
MANSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 64), formerly a
fisherman at Dunrossness, 2924; now curer of fish for Harrison &
Son at Lerwick, 2925, 2926; and superintendent of their workers,
2927; Harrison & Son are principally engaged in Faroe fishing,
2929; they have a store, 2932; is not obliged to deal there, but
workers generally do, 2933-2936; his wages are paid, and he pays
in cash, 2937; no pass-books, 2944; has no complaint to make,
2947; in Faroe fishing the price not fixed till the end of the season,
2954; family, in the absence of fisherman, get goods and cash if
they require at store, 2955, 2957; not obliged to deal at store,
2961; men generally get outfit there, 2962.
MANSON, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 67), fisherman at
Channerwick, 3018; tenant under fish-curer, 3019; formerly under
tacksman (Mouat), 3020; bound to fish for him, 3021; ejected by
him for selling fish to another dealer, 3022-3028; permitted to
remain on paying the expense of the summons and promising
obedience, 3029; goods very bad, 3039-3045; obliged to deal at
store from want of money, 3041, 3942; at liberty now to fish for
any one, 3047.
MEAL, Price of, etc., 393, 1135, 1345, 3413, 4316, 4548, 4706,
4788, 4835, 5045, 5300, 5324, 5330, 5514, 5696, 5799, 5962,
6194, 6235, 6834, 6972, 7400, 7786, 7897, 7951, 7999, 8475,
8697, 8733, 8766, 8890, 8965, 9068, 9286, 9315, 9396, 9812,
9843, 9899, 10,019, 10,222, 10,254, 10,391,10,511, 10,612,
10,676, 10,753, 11,846, 12,658, 12,756, 12,795, 12,870, 13,019,
13,045, 13,166, 13,173, 13,223, 13,250, 13,259, 13,306, 13,388,
13,884, 14,106, 14,570, 14,727, 14,923, 14,965, 14,975, 15,018,
15,833, 16,656, 16,659, 16,820.
MEN (or boys) cannot help incurring debt, 10,282.
MEN curing for themselves, 924, 964, 1074, 3943, 4780, 5428,
5984, 8466, 11,934, 12,056, 12,295, 12,937, 13,034, 13,986,
14,155, 14,893, 15,068, 13,982.
MEN must take goods from fish-curer, 568, 586, 764, 3004,
13,088, 13,982.
MEN supported by merchant in bad season, 731, 954, 3623,
4363, 6274, 10,753, 12,295, 12,547, 13,048.
MEN taking goods from fish-merchant, 2933, 2961, 3004, 3041,
3640, 4238, 4298, 4345, 4488, 4520, 4627, 4671, 4965, 5112,
5436, 5547, 5628, 5679, 5789, 5856, 6057, 6189, 6253, 6554,
6842, 6903, 6944, 7392, 8337, 8519, 8685, 8726, 9286, 9307,
9557, 9828, 9930, 10,386, 10,587, 10,704, 11,806, 12,112, 12,210,
12,266, 12,295, 12,347, 12,686, 12,739, 12,847, 13,087, 13,405,
13,507, 13,701, 13,946, 13,980, 14,796, 15,720, 16,373.
MEN wish liberty in fishing, 544, 560, 659, 788, 1109, 4424,
4584, 4780, 12,635, 12,750, 12,865, 13,425, 13,840, 14,939.
MERCHANTS, monopoly of shop trade, 12,372.
MILLAR, Rev. Duncan (analysis of his evidence, p. 147), United
Presbyterian clergyman at Mossbank, 5974; thinks the system of
long payments injurious to men, as apt to lead them into debt and
to teach them deception [Page 449], as it encourages smuggling,
5981; men curing for themselves, 5984; indebted men under
control of shopkeeper, 5995; system by which men are forced to
fish, 5997; hosiery, 6004; women would prefer payment in cash,
6006.
MOFFAT, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 413), seaman at
Lochside, Lerwick, and serves in Naval Reserve, 16,341; has gone
to seal and whale fishing under various agents, 16,343; always
deals with the one he sails under, 16,346; until 1867 had settlement
at agent's office, 16,347; since then at Custom-house, 16,348; goes
down from there and settles his account, 16,349; amount paid on
advance notes is not sufficient to sustain his family, and therefore
he prefers to leave his advance notes in the agent's hands and let
his family obtain supplies from him, 16,359; generally has a
balance to get at settlement, 16,366; wife gets cash when she asks,
16,368; men are quite free to deal, but generally go to the shop of
the agent they sail under, 16,373.
MONCRIEFF, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 281), baker
and provision merchant in Scalloway, 11,461; deals in hosiery,
11,463; pays in goods, 11,464; never gives money, 11,465;
mentions case of a woman bringing soap and bartering it for
provisions, 11,475; gets worsted from Edinburgh, 11,507; cannot
get Shetland wool, 11,508; deals in ready money with fishermen to
a small extent--does not run accounts with them, 11,518; possibly
a ready money system would improve his trade with them, 11,521.
MONEY articles, 451, 3473, 5093, 6368, 11,545.
MONRO, Alexander (analysis of his evidence, p. 409), second
officer of Customs at the port of Lerwick, 16,141; for five years,
16,142; when new regulations came into force in 1867, merchants
endeavoured to make deductions other than those they had a right
to make, but were stopped, 16,147, 16,148; it is understood that
men always pay their accounts to agent after they are settled with,
16,163.
MOODIE, Mrs Elizabeth (analysis of her evidence, p. 36), knits,
1848; knits partly with her own and partly with dealer's wool,
1851; paid in goods, 1855; but can get some money if she wishes,
1856; gets lines, 1875; sometimes sells them for money, 1879; has
sold to strangers at a cheaper rate that she might get money, 1881,
1882; could always have wool for goods, 1890.
MOODIE, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 371), seaman and
fisherman in Lerwick, 14,761; has been at sealing and whaling for
a number of years, 14,762; under various owners, 14,764; green
hands generally get outfit from merchants, 14,766; goods are as
cheap at agent's shop as any other, 14,769; at settlement paid in
full at the Custom-house, with the exception of ship's bill, 14,773;
no compulsion is used to make him pay his account at agent's,
14,779; men generally get their goods from agent who employs
them, but not bound, 14,796; has got money from Shipwrecked
Mariners' Fund, and has always got cash from agent, 14,800.
MORE, Daniel (analysis of his evidence, p. 232), fisherman and
proprietor of house at Cunningster, 9632; once opened a shop at
Basta, and the landlord (a merchant) put him out because he was
succeeding too well, 9634; turned out of another place because he
would not fish, 9638; heavier rent charged when men do not fish,
9639-9645.
MORRISON, Elizabeth (analysis of her evidence, p. 394), lives in
Lerwick, 15,637; lives by going errands, knitting stockings, etc.,
15,638; sells occasionally neckties, 15,639; some years past sold
goods for knitting-women, 15,644; has only once or twice done so
lately, 15,649; does not make her living principally by doing
errands, 15,698; her evidence contradicted by Mrs E. Quin (p.
425).
MOUAT, Mrs. Andrina (analysis of her evidence, p. 39), lives at
Girlsta; knits with her own wool, 2030; paid in cash and goods,
2044; sometimes could not get money, 2052; merchants are not
willing to give money, 2067.
MOUAT, William Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 249),
partner of Spence & Co., 10,232; and co-manager at Baltasound,
10,233; corroborates Mr. Sandison, 10,236; thinks a system of
monthly payments, if it could be introduced, would be an
advantage, 10,238; system of book-keeping, 10,242, 10,277; deals
a little in hosiery, 10,306; it is generally paid in goods, 10,308.
MOWAT, Magnus (analysis of his evidence, p. 434), boat-builder
at Newhaven, 16,888; Shetland boats are inferior to those he is
accustomed to build, 16,892; the timber is inferior, and they are
lighter, 16,897; thinks a Shetland boat could be used for twelve or
fourteen years at the utmost, 16,907; thinks one would be dear at
£20, 16,914.
MOUAT, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 105), blacksmith at
Olnafirth Voe, 4236; works principally for Messrs. Adie, 4237; in
getting goods from Messrs. Adie's shop, pays in cash, 4238; does
not know whether there are two prices, cash and credit, 4239;
never heard any complaints on the subject, 4247.
MULLAY, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 383), is a merchant
and fish-curer in Lerwick, 15,140; and has a retail shop, 15,141;
employs seven boats in the ling fishing, 15,142; and has a station
at Ireland in Dunrossness, 15,143; the only place in the
neighbourhood where fish can be landed and dried, 15,144;
tenants not bound to fish to him, 15,145; but all do so, 15,146.
NICHOLSON, Mrs. Andrina Anderson or (analysis of her
evidence, p. 78), lives in Lerwick, 3495; knits, 3497; has almost
always had payment in goods, 3501; has often heard this system
complained of, and she thinks justly, 3504; to get money she had
to become a dresser, 3505; goods are sold at a higher price by
dealers, 3508, 3510; therefore a money system would be much
better, 3511; goods are sold by knitters to obtain money, 3516;
payment in goods makes girls wear more expensive dress than
they should, 3525.
NICHOLSON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 211), is a
fisherman at North Delting, 8681; for Pole, Hoseason, & Co.,
8682; has account with them, 8685; settles at end of year, 8686;
considers he is bound to fish for merchant, being indebted to him,
8695; meal, 8697; merchants charge a high price for their goods,
8704.
NICHOLSON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 293), is a
retired merchant in Scalloway, 11,906; was 25 years in business,
11,907; as fish-curer, draper, and general merchant, 11,908; sent
ten or twelve boats to the ling fishing, 11,909; was not a tacksman,
but landlord held him responsible for the men's rents, 11,912; men
under no obligation to fish, 11,928; men on the island of Havera
cure their own fish, 11,934; and he sold it for them, 11,935;
without charging any commission, 11,938; they dealt with him for
goods, 11,939; small boats are most suitable for Shetland fishing,
11,954; in one year, having had a serious loss in the sale of ling,
men offered him the use of money they had saved, 11,975;
merchants would require to be very honest under this system, for
they have ample opportunities of deceiving, 11,981; dealt in
hosiery only out of compassion for the poor people--exchanged
bread for it, 11,997; or took goods for provisions, 11,998; thinks
the goods given by Lerwick dealers for hosiery often inferior,
12,008.
NICHOLSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 212), lives in
North Delting; fishes for Pole, Hoseason, & Co., 8720; price
should be fixed at the beginning of season, 8722; deals at store,
8726; goods dearer there, 8731; quality inferior, 8732.
NICHOLSON, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 258), is a
fisherman and tenant farmer at Haroldswick, 10,581; devotes
himself entirely to farming now, 10,584; deals with Spence & Co.,
and other dealers, 10,587; pays in cash generally, 10,592; has a
small account, 10,597; sorties yearly, 10,600; never bound to fish,
10,622; or to deal at any particular store, 10,623.
NICHOLSON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 81), draper,
and to a small extent a dealer in hosiery, 3568; seldom gives lines,
3573; understood in the trade that hosiery is paid in goods, 3575;
thinks a change would be beneficial, 3576; but would lower the
prices given for hosiery, 3577; there is no profit on hosiery, 3584;
pays partly in cash when required, 3593; it is an understanding that
the price is principally taken in goods, 3594; never knew of goods
or lines being exchanged for cash or necessaries, 3599; but has
heard that such things done, 3601.
NICOLSON, Rev. Nicol (analysis of his evidence, p. 291)
clergyman of the Independent Church in Scalloway--has been
there for twenty-two years, 11,871; supposed that he was well
acquainted with the condition of the fishing population, but finds
from the evidence led that he is not, 11,873; was once a fisherman,
and when out of debt always got money from merchant if he
wished it, 11,874; thinks weekly or monthly settlements would be
an advantage if practicable, but in the majority of cases it would
not be, 11,875; masters must have security for boats and lines, and
so cannot be expected to pay weekly, 11,878; hosiery, 11,895; the
rule is to paying goods, 11,898; thinks payment in cash would be
an advantage to women, 11,900; thinks a ready money system
would be advantageous, but does not see how it would work,
11,905.
OBLIGATION to fish. <See> Tenants.
[Page 450]
OGILVY, Joan (analysis of her evidence, p. 236), knits with her
own and other people's wool, 9731; always pays for worsted with
cash, but never asked it in exchange for hosiery, 9734, 9735;
cannot get payment for hosiery entirely in cash, 9746; gets any
cash she requires from one dealer, 9781; never had lines, 9769 and
9787.
OLLASON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 406), member
of Ollason & Son, bootmakers, Lerwick, 16,018; produces letter
from fisherman, stating that by some misunderstanding he had not
got the wages he expected to get, and the amount was entirely
swallowed up by fish-curer's account and account to a former
employer retained from him at settlement, 16,019.
OLLASON, Margaret (analysis of her evidence, p. 37), lives in
Lerwick, and knits for herself, 1902; sells generally to ladies,
sometimes to dealer, 1904, 1905; is paid in money and goods,
1906; buys her own wool, 1920; it is generally preferred to knit
for ladies and be paid in money, 1924.
OUTFIT, 2962, 9150, 9306, 10,801, 10,940, 12,407, 12,511,
13,755, 14,316, 14,765, 14,809, 14,827, 15,279, 15,549, 15,910,
15,947, 16,224, 16,270, 16,352, 16,534.