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.
[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.
PARAFFIN Oil, price of, 10,263.
PASS-BOOKS, 12, 243, 371, 495, 690, 1340, 1348, 1481, 1611, 1664, 1670, 1700, 1791, 1942, 2077, 2213, 2383, 2455, 2676, 2944, 3668, 4099, 4337, 4881, 5117, 5170, 5574, 6400, 6917, 6994, 8954, 9827, 10,329, 11,839, 12,138, 13,176, 13,470.
PETERSON, Euphemia (analysis of her evidence, p. 157), lives with her parents at Hillswick, 6441; father is a fisherman and tenant, 6442; she knits, 6444; is paid in goods, 6448; never asked or got money, 6460; makes her own worsted, 6462; has worked at kelp, 6463; would be paid in cash if she wished, 6467; eggs paid in goods, 6483.
PAYMENT of persons in curing establishment, 120, 2939, 5004, 5103, 5254, 5752, 5907, 6602, 8804, 10,110, 10,345, 12,808, 13,353, 14,086, 15,766.
PEACE, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 425), partner of Peace & Love, drapers, Kirkwall; buys Shetland hosiery both from merchants and knitters, pays in cash, gets goods at about the same price from both; has been told there is no profit on hosiery; thinks a cash system would be a benefit to all parties concerned, 16,658.
PETERSON, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 164), is a fisherman at Hillyar and lives at Hillswick, 6772; tenant of land there, 6773; fishes for Mr. Laurence Smith, 6774; formerly fished for Mr. Anderson, 6776; left him because he refused to supply him with goods, as he was largely in debt, 6777; was summoned for the amount, 6785; no decree as yet in the action, 6791; fishermen are liable for the loss of hired lines, 6808; smuggling fish, 6822; when an indebted man ceases to fish for a merchant, he is required to find a cautioner, 6826; price of meal, 6834; men are not obliged to deal with merchant, 6842; his daughter works at kelp, 6851; knits, 6852; and sells his eggs, 6853; is generally paid in goods, but never asks money, 6856.
PETERSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 166), is a fisherman, 6898; to Mr. Joseph Leask in Faroe fishing, 6900; formerly at home fishing under Mr. Anderson, 6901, 6902; had account at his shop, 6903; could not get cash during season, 6905; but had any goods he required, 6909; deals with Mr. Leask now, 6913; refused a pass-book, 6917, 6919.
PETRIE, Catherine (analysis of her evidence, p. 28), lives in Fetlar, 1416; knits her own wool, 1420; sells to dealers, 1432; paid in goods, 1439; price fixed by dealer, 1440; lines, 1465.
POLE, Joseph Leask (analysis of his evidence, p. 225), manager at Greenbank for Pole, Hoseason, & Co., 9335, 9336; fishermen generally have accounts, 9339; system of book-keeping, 9337, 9367; men are not hound to fish, but it is understood they shall do so, 9370; men are not bound for the Faroe fishing, 937l; are very temperate, 9382; hosiery is a bad speculation, 9402.
POLE, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 145), managing partner of Pole, Hoseason, & Co., merchants and fish-curers at Mossbank, 5877; generally corroborates Mr. Adie—current price for fish, how fixed, 5887-5900; thinks a price fixed at the beginning of the season would be no advantage to men, 5904; beach boys, 5907; obligation to fish in home fishing, 5936; not bound for whale or Faroe fishings, 5940; hosiery, 5962; meal, 5962.
POTTINGER, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 336), is a fisherman in Burra—lives with his father, who is a tenant there, 13,524; they spent upwards of £12 on repairs of house in 1865, and in 1866 Messrs. Hay charged £1 extra for 'peat-leave'—he refused to pay it, but it was deducted from him at settlement, 13,525; formerly was under Messrs. Hay, and now is under Mr. Harrison, 13,538; Messrs. Hay did not object, 13,540; only had liberty because he was the master of a vessel, 13,551; some men have had to pay liberty money for their sons going to Faroe under another merchant, 13,552; men going to Faroe fishing sign a written agreement, 13,557; men are partners with the owners to the extent of one-half, 13,558; there is not much smuggling practised, 13,580.
PRICES, higher at store, 568, 598, 4313, 4542, 4614, 4662, 4734, 4742, 4794, 4835, 4860, 4887, 4978, 5045, 5300, 8403, 8704, 8731, 13,866, 13,940, 13,981. -Higher on account of system of barter in hosiery dealings, 2866, 3176, 3508, 3909, 8040, 9585, 9715, 12,785, 12,826, 12,916, 13,085, 13,408, 13,442. -of goods, 568, 598, 956, 959, 3423, 4238, 5801, 5856, 6193, 6266, 8731, 8887, 9299, 9583, 12,658, 12,756, 12,783, 12,826, 13,408, 13,465, 14,769, 14,860.
PRICE of fish, how fixed and ascertained, 4919, 5887, 8932, 9085, 9537, 9675, 10,125, 10,143, 12,277, 12,565, 13,027, 13,331, 13,648, 15,103. -Fixed at first of season, 491, 860, 1409, 5201, 5814, 5904, 6213, 6267, 7059, 8508, 8722, 9951, 10,558, 12,090, 12,104, 12,885, 12,982, 13,519.
QUALITY of goods, 613,956, 959, 1394, 1650, 3009, 3039, 4313, 4742, 4799, 5801, 6266, 7398, 8732, 8887, 9899, 13,085, 13,408, 13,465.
QUIN, Mary Duncan or (analysis of her evidence, p. 425), lives in Kirkwall, was born in Lerwick, and lived there till seven years since; has knitted for twenty years, both with her own wool and that of merchants; always paid in goods, but did not need money much. Women who depended on knitting for a living often had to sell their goods for half-price to get money; sells at Kirkwall for money. Gives evidence as to the value of veils got from Grace Slater (p. 409) and E. Malcolmson (p. 409), 16,657.
RATTER, Andrew (analysis of his evidence, p. 177), fishermen at North Roe, 7386; and tenant of Messrs. Hay, 7387; generally deals at their store, 7392; articles always satisfactory, 7398; tea, 7399; meal, 7400.
RATTER, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 210), fisherman atWeathersta, 8624; for Mr. Adie, 8625; corroborates ThomasRobertson (p. 211), 8627.
READY Money system, 802, 3623, 8902, 9329, 9587, 9592, 9974, 9945, 10,527, 11,453, 11,826, 11,905, 12,028, 12,039, 15,078, 16,465.
RENT, 488, 911, 944, 1226, 1386, 5274, 5404, 5759, 9991, 10,640, 11,912, 11,969, 12,153, 12,618, 13,007, 13,048, 13,459, 13,681, 14,887, 15,074, 15,120, 15,135. -Dealer responsible for, 10,025, 10,039, 11,912, 13,679, 15,136. -Lower because of obligation to fish, 13,293.
ROBERTSON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 378), member of R. & C. Robertson, wholesale and retail provision merchants, Lerwick, 15,017; merchants generally keep only one kind of meal, 15,018; gives evidence as to prices of meal, etc., 15,021.
ROBERTSON, Elizabeth (analysis of her evidence, p. 5), knits for herself formerly for dealers, 221; merchants supplied her with wool, 223; paid in goods, 229; had not pass-book, 231; could seldom get money from dealers, and often obliged to take goods from them and sell at half-price to get it, 236-238; gets lines from dealers if not requiring goods, 248, 251; to obtain money, sells these lines to persons requiring goods, 257-259, and 287-290.
ROBERTSON, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 224), fisherman and tenant at Hamnavoe under Mr. M'Queen, 9301; elder of Established Church, South Yell, 9302; free to fish always, excepting for one period of three years, when bound, 9304; ling fishing, 9308; thinks a ready-money system would be somewhat better for men, 9332.
ROBERTSON, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 204), lives at Muckle Roe—was formerly a fisherman, but is now too old, 8435; thinks fishermen are free, and should engage with any merchant whom they think offers the best bargain, 8460; men could not manage to cure their own fish, 8466; as they have not accommodation, [Page 451] 8470; and would not realize so good a price, as they would not be able to command so extensive a market as the merchant, 8471; does not see any advantage in payments for fish being made earlier in the season, 8472; meal is much dearer than in the south, 8475; knitting and weaving, 8488; paid either in goods or money, 8490; if people not indebted, 8502.
ROBERTSON, Mrs. Janet (analysis of her evidence, p. 237), knits, 9793; for Mrs. Spence with her wool, 9794-5; is paid in goods and money—gets money when she wishes, but generally takes goods, 9797.
ROBERTSON, John, sen. (analysis of his evidence, p. 351), is a merchant at Lerwick, and tacksman of Lunna estate, 14,067; fish-curing establishment at Skerries, 14,068; has a store at Vidlin, 14,069; goods are dearer there than at Lerwick, only because of the cost of transit—they are always sold at the lowest possible prices, 14,072; men fishing at Skerries are bound to deliver their fish to the tacksman of Lunna, 14,075; but are free to go to the Faroe and Greenland fishing, 14,082; beach boys are paid weekly wages, 14,086; but are settled with annually, 14,088; are supplied with goods or cash, as they wish, 14,093-8; herring fishery a failure of late, 14,108; men have half the produce, and the other half goes to the expense of boats, etc., 14,112; remembers one or two instances of new employers taking over debt due by a man to a previous one, 14,138; does not know of any special arrangement to that effect, 14,139; and never entered into one himself, 14,140; purchases kelp, 14,143; pays 4s. 6d. in goods and 4s. in cash, 14,147; gatherers have accounts, 14,150; does not think the fish-curing business could be profitably carried on without combination with a store, 14,152; people require supplies from shop, and could not do without them, 14,153; the quality of fish would be deteriorated if men cured for themselves, 14,155. -(recalled, p.365). Price of meal at Lerwick, 14,570-6; does an extensive business in it, 14,577; meal in Shetland is generally of one quality, 14,579; only one quality sold, 14,585.
ROBERTSON, John, jun. (analysis of his evidence, p. 383), merchant and fish-curer, and has retail shop in Lerwick—has fishing station at Spiggie, 15,153; none of the tenants there are bound to fish for him, 15,154; men in neighbourhood could not cure their own fish, because there is no beach other than his, 15,159; does not understand how some dealers give more than the current price, 15,164; succeeded Robert Mouat, 15,178; Mouat did not call tenants together and order them to fish for him, but merely recommended them to do so, 15,180.
ROBERTSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 348), fisherman at Skelberry, in Lunnasting, 13,933; bound to fish for tacksman, 13,934; deals at store, 13,946; runs an account, 13,950; is generally in debt at settlement, 13,951; gets advances of money, 13,956; men put on allowance when too far in debt, 13,967.
ROBERTSON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 209), fisherman, 8582; and tenant, of land, 8583; fishes for Mr. Adie, 8584; settles yearly, 8585; gets advances if wished, 8587; herring fishery, 8605-8; price fixed at beginning of season, 8608.
ROBERTSON, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 265), cashier and principal clerk to Mr. Joseph Leask, 10,847; gives an account of Mr. Leask's system of business, 10,850; Mr. Leask's tenants are not bound to fish, 10,858; either in home or Faroe fishings, 10,912; hold their land as yearly tenants, 10,913; denies that the truck system is more prevalent in Shetland than other parts of the kingdom, and that it 'makes its depressing effect felt in all the ramifications of the industrial and social life of the natives,' 10,924; that men and their wives and children are all severally indebted to the merchants, or that men generally are in debt, 10,925; the tenants have farms generally of about twelve acres, 10,925; some as many as twenty-three acres, and some again seven, and, besides, there are extensive commons, 10,926; free to the people, except in Yell, where they pay for grazing ponies and sheep, but not cattle, 10,927; whaling agents have a very small and inadequate profit, 10,933; and make very little profit by their stores, for the men are supplied as cheaply, if not cheaper than at other stores, and there are many bad debts when there is a bad voyage, 10,938; bad voyages are frequent in whale and seal fishing, 10,939; young men must have advances for outfit, 10,940; men indebted generally go to another merchant, 10,957; and in that case, seldom pay their debts, 10,959; it is principally young men who are indebted, 10,961; there is a great scarcity of men, vessels often have to go to the fishing without their full complement of hands, 10,961; agents occasionally settle men's debts to other merchants, 10,977; agents obliged to pay wages in full to men in presence of the shipping master, but men always come to the store immediately after and settle any account they may owe, 11,009; allotment notes not issued by Mr. Leask, 11,051; frequently supplies men's families with money and goods in their absence, 11,058; delays in settlement are often caused by the dilatoriness of the men, 11,073; there is only one price charged for goods, 11,111; men always paid in cash, and not expected to buy; but when they do, goods are given them as cheap or cheaper than they could obtain them elsewhere, 11,187; men are very honest, and if they owe money, invariably pay it after receiving their wages, 11,209; hosiery paid in goods, 11,227; is simply barter, and not truck, 11,229; all Mr. Leask's employees paid in cash, unless they prefer to take goods, 11,248; Mr. Leask is extensively engaged in the Faroe fishing, 11,268; describes agreement with men, 11,270; lines and hooks, and anything else required by men, supplied by themselves, 11,272; half of the fish, after deduction of cost of curing, goes to the owner, and the other half to the men, 11,286.
ROBERTSON, William (recalled, p. 338). Hands in form of agreement for Faroe fishing, 13,603; men generally join about the middle of March, 13,604; shows workbook, 13,607; men never bound to go to Faroe fishing, 13,625; there is only one price for goods at store, 13,635; thinks price should not be fixed at the beginning of season, 13,646; does not think small dealers can command a higher, if so high a price for their fish, 13,655; unless by selling in small parcels to retail dealers, 13,658; denies that Mr. Leask ever forced the men on his property to fish for Mr. Williamson, 13,668; rents are commonly paid by merchant, 13,681; and retained at settlement, 13,682; denies that the truck system prevails in Shetland to an extent unknown in other parts of the kingdom, 13,697; the population of Shetland is 30,000 persons, 13,698; three-fourths of these are fishermen, seamen, and their families, 13,699; nearly every man has an account with the merchant he fishes for—does not consider this can be called truck, 13,701; thinks men have no reason to complain, 13,707; for it is an advantage, 13,708; fish merchant is only paid annually for his fish, and cannot be expected to settle otherwise than yearly with men, 13,710; men frequently have large sums of money in bank, 13,726; in Greenland whale fishing experienced men are preferred, as agents do not like the risk of supplying outfits to young hands, 13,737; men are not bound to take outfit from agents, 13,755; weekly or fortnightly settlements would be impossible, 13,789; Shetland men are not improvident or extravagant, 13,807; and, as a rule are not in debt, 13,808.
ROBERTSON, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 420), is in the employment of Hay & Co., Lerwick, 16,529; gives in statement as to the mode of dealing with men engaged for the seal and whale fishing, 16,530; to the following effect: 'I have been in Hay & Co.'s employment for upwards of twenty-eight years, during which time I have had chief management of their ship-agency business, and particularly that part of it connected with the whale fishery. The masters of the ships invariably choose the men who form their crews, and fix their wages without any regard to the employer. When engaged, men can get their first month's advance in cash, and if they wished allotment notes. Without farther credit from the agent, however, young hands could not get an outfit, and now the Board of Trade regulations have very greatly lessened the number of young men going to Greenland. The necessity of payment at the Custom-house causes much extra trouble to the agents, and they endeavoured at one time to get a higher commission. They did not, however, and have continued in the agency with much reluctance. Since 1867, men have always been paid first month's advance in cash at shipping office, and the balance at the end of the voyage, whenever they choose to ask it, quite irrespective of advances to them for clothing; these, however, the men, as a rule, came forward and settled promptly.' Men are seldom in debt, 16,531; if indebted, they go to another agent; their accounts are occasionally transferred to the new agent, 16,566; agents expect men to deal with them, but only because they have always done so; there is no compulsion, 16,586; there is great difficulty and trouble in getting men to attend at a settlement, 16,605.
RUSSELL, Euphemia (analysis of her evidence, p. 284), lives at Blackness, Scalloway, 11,562; supports herself by knitting and out-door work, 11,564; would devote her time entirely to knitting if she could get money in payment, 11,565; when requiring money has to take out-door work, 11,567; never got money from [Page 452] dealers, 11,570; has exchanged tea for meal, 11,578; can only get wool for money, 11,579.
SANDISON, Alexander (analysis of his evidence, p. 169), formerly fisherman, now too old to fish, 7049; fished for Mr. Anderson, 7051; was not actually bound when indebted to re-engage with merchant, 7054; but thought it fair to do so, 7077; price fixed at the beginning of season would be a doubtful benefit, 7059; eggs paid in goods, 7074; fishermen much better off now than formerly, 7083; whale fishing, 7088-7099.
SANDISON, Alexander (analysis of his evidence, p. 241), partner in the firm of Spence & Co., 9978; formerly partner of Hay & Co. (Lerwick) at Uyea Sound, 9979; manager there, 9980; lessees of Major Cameron's estate in Unst, 9982; men not bound to fish, 9986; small boats are better adapted to winter fishing, 9998; winter fishing cannot be extended, 10,001; monthly payments in cash would be the best system, 10,067 men decline this, 10,009; a change in the system would cause poverty amongst the men for a time, 10,015; truck is not nearly so common as it was thirteen years ago, 10,027; a dealer is powerless to arrest for debt because of the landlord's hypothec, 10,036; dealer is bound to see tenant's rents paid to proprietor, or men will not be permitted to fish for him, 10,025-10,039; dealer often cannot avoid giving further credit to indebted men, because without it they and their families would be starved, 10,049; a change to monthly payments from present system would cause much pauperism in the period of transition, 10,052; thinks the best thing for Shetlanders would be to find some profitable employment for them in the winter—does not think the winter fishing could be improved, 10,061; thinks the Government should improve the harbours and roads—in the sale of cattle, men often decline to take the proceeds until the yearly settlement, 10,077; men are quite free in the sale of farm produce, 10,079; boat hiring unprofitable, 10,139; has absolute power to eject men on estates in tack in Unst, but has never done so, 10,162; tenants are not bound to fish or sell farm produce, 10,165, 10,166; but generally do, 10,168; buys hosiery, 10,182; and worsted, 10,183; pays in cash, 10,187; thinks knitters as a rule should have as much for their work as the value of the worsted, 10,196. -Letter sent by (p. 248). Thinks the morals of the people may compare favourably with those of any others in Scotland; small shops are an evil, as they sell whisky surreptitiously; thinks the time spent on winter fishing lost, as it could be more profitably employed in farming; thinks the best remedy for evils is to improve houses and get men to improve their ground. -(recalled, p. 254). Is agent at Uyea Sound for Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, 10,480; men never contribute, 10,481; a man was removed because he had a shop, 10,488; small shops are an evil, for men indebted will beg necessaries from store and sell them for superfluities at them, 10,494; men's debts are often paid by a new merchant, but knows of no rule to that effect, 10,498. -(recalled, p. 263). Want of change, 10,767.
SANDISON, Arthur (analysis of his evidence, p. 191), shopman and book-keeper to Mr. Anderson, Hillswick. 7837; is preparing return from Mr. Anderson's books of number of fishermen, etc., 7841.
SANDISON, Jane (analysis of her evidence, p. 103), lives in Sandwick, 4139; knits for Mr. Linklater, 4140; uses his wool, 4141; is paid in goods, 4142; has asked but never gets money, 4143; has exchanged goods for oil and wool, 4147-4156.
SANDISON, Jemima (analysis of her evidence, p. 33), knitter in Lerwick, 1697; knits for dealer, 1699; has passbook, 1700; is paid in goods, 1704; and in money, 1708; could always get some money if she wished it, 1708; can get wool in exchange for hosiery, 1717.
SANDISON, John (analysis of his eyidence, p. 167), fisherman, 6938; and tenant of land, 6939; goes to home fishing, 6940; for Mr. Anderson, 6941; settlement yearly, 6942; deals at his shop, 6944; never refused cash, 6956; is not bound to deal with merchant, 6960; price of meal, 6972.
SANDISON, Peter Mouat (analysis of his evidence, p. 127), is inspector of poor in the parish of Fetlar and North Yell, 5141; formerly was a fish-curer, 5142; and still cures for Spence & Co., 5255; settlements at end of year, 5145; indebtedness is a bad policy for curers, 5148; the best men are always least in debt, 5149; men will not have pass-books, 5170; hosiery, 5176; is paid generally in goods, 5193; fixing the price of fish at the beginning of season would benefit the enters, but not the men, 5201; boats and boat hires, 5206; men always get the highest currency, 5206; men were bound to fish for him, 5211; but he never enforced the obligation except in one case, 5216; men have been offered a weekly payment, but refused it, 5217; there are scarcely any leases in Yell, 5228; does not think the. system of long settlements tends to increase the poor rates, 5234; beach boys, 5241; sometimes have accounts, 5242; fish-curer would not choose to open these, but it is sometimes necessary to do so, 5243; boys are not obliged to serve, 5248; workers are paid at end of season, getting goods during it from Spence & Co's. store, 5259; kelp, 5262; paid almost entirely in cash, 5269; has known a few instances of restrictions laid on the sale of farm stock when men are hopelessly in debt, 5271; rent, 5274; never knew any instance of cattle being marked for debt, 5278.
SCOLLAY, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 203), is a tenant on the Busta estate, 8376; keeps pauper lunatics, 8378; previously indebted to merchant, 8379; payments by Parochial Board to him made through merchant, who is chairman of Board, 8387; and complains that merchant will only give him goods, 8389; which are charged at enormous prices, 8403. -(recalled, p. 210). Truck is a great cause of pauperism, as it makes the poor careless and the rich fearless. If man dies, the goods he leaves will be taken by his creditor, and his widow and family left penniless, 8637. -(recalled, p. 376). Corrects his previous evidence, and gives evidence as to prices of meal and flour, 14,964, 14,966.
SECURITY in holding of land, best cure for evils of Shetland, 8055.
SEPARATION of farming and fishing in Shetland (impossible), 4421, 4872, 8029; note, p. 248.
SHARES, fishermen always work best on, 3623, 10,007, 12,604, 12,608.
SHIPWRECKED Mariners' Society, 6711, 10,480, 11,863, 14,348, 14,800, 15,552.
SHORT Settlements, 9579, 9952, 10,006, 10,052, 10,238, 10,341,10,512, 10,528, 10,718, 10,827, 11,797, 11,875, 12,610, 12,887,15,203, 15,750.-Impracticable, 3896, 8149, 11,797, 11,875, 13,789.
SHAWLS and haps, price of, 31, 1421, 1441, 1521, 1641, 1686, 3413, 3430, 9739, 10,205, 11,537, 11,606, 11,769, 15,922, 16,010, 16,045, 16,075, 16,113, 16,208. -Dressing of, 1729, 1793.
SIEVWRIGHT, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 382), solicitor in Lerwick, 15,116; factor on property of Mrs. Budge, Scaffold, 15,117; wrote letter to William Stewart, quoted in Stewart's evidence (question 8917), 15,118; written because the tenants had taken a prejudice against Thomas Williamson, and his business fell off; the men, on explanation, were ready to deal with him; there was no compulsion used, 15,119; Williamson was not responsible for rents, 15,135.
SIMPSON, Mrs. Andrina (analysis of her evidence, p. 6), knits for herself, 306; buys her wool, 308; sells to merchants for goods, 310; never got more than part payment in cash, 316-320; never gets lines, 329.
SIMPSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 345), does not wish to make any statement, because his rent may be raised or he may be ejected, 13,830; is a tenant on estate of Lunna, 13,832; is bound, so far as he knows, to fish for tacksman, 13,833; would prefer liberty, 13,840; not free to sell winter fish, 13,843; is not bound at all to deal at store, 13,903; goods in Lerwick cheaper than at store, 13,920.
SIMPSON, Robert (analysis of his evidence, 348), fisherman at Valour, in Lunnasting, 13,978; not having money, is obliged to take goods from the merchant, 13,980; is charged more than should be, 13,981; bound to fish for Mr. Robertson, 13,983; could make more if free and curing for himself, 13,986; never sold eggs for cash, but has no doubt he could have got it if he had wished, 14,023.
SINCLAIR, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 22), is a fisherman at Burra, 1100; wishes liberty in fishing, 1109; liability for father's debts, 1143-1154; in Faroe fishing can get payment in money, 1157; families of fishermen get provisions and money when they are absent at the Faroe fishing, 1172, 1178.
SINCLAIR, Henry (analysis of his evidence, p. 131), tenant on Symbister estate at Lerwick, formerly bound to tacksman (Mouat), 5309; was warned because of a quarrel with his son as to an entry of fish, 5315; got provisions at store, 5323; never got any money, 5332; meal unfit to eat, 5330.
SINCLAIR, Isabella (analysis of her evidence, p. 72), daughter and assistant of R. Sinclair, 3245; never knew of lines being passed from one to another person, 3250; payments in money less, 3252; Shetland wool is becoming extinct owing to the introduction of Cheviot sheep, 3269, 3270.
[Page 453]
SINCLAIR, Isabella (recalled, p. 82). Has known cases of hosiery being sold for money to other people, and knitters have afterwards come and spent the cash at dealer's shop, 3612. -(recalled, p. 350). Explains, with reference to evidence of Margaret Jamieson (p. 350), that salesmen in her father's shop cannot give money without permission, and that the want of cash is an exceptional case, 14,064; persons are paid in money who have bargained for money, 14,065; but a less price given in cash, 14,066.
SINCLAIR, Mary Ann (analysis of her evidence, p. 40), knits, 2075; for dealer with his wool, 2076; has no pass-book, 2077; is paid in money and goods, 2079; gets as much money as she wishes, 2092, 2107.
SINCLAIR, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 49), merchant in Lerwick, 2366; deals in drapery, tea, boots and shoes, and a few groceries, 2367; deals also in hosiery, 2370; principally buys hosiery, but sometimes gives wool out to be knitted, 2371; pays generally in goods, but gives cash, 2373; more cash given lately, 2376; pass-books given if wished, 2383; sometimes pays entirely in cash, 2399; but only for goods actually required, 2402-2404; often takes goods, when not requiring them, from knitters who are in need, 2404; payment in goods generally understood, 2411; the system of pass-books, 2455, 2462; knitters seldom have them, 2455; refers to evidence of Elizabeth Robertson (p. 5), 2462; states she has several times had worsted in part payment of hosiery, 2463-2470; but never gives mohair, 2471; or Shetland wool, 2473; as the supply is very small, and there is great difficulty in getting it, and it is only kept for the merchant's own use, 2473, 2481; as a rule, will not even sell it for cash, 2482; gives lines, 2502; the practice of giving lines commenced lately, 2517; a cash tariff should be introduced, as it would save much trouble, 2519; does not know whether in some cases knitters might not lose by it, 2521; there is no profit on hosiery at present, 2523; and merchant's only profit is on the goods given to knitters, 2531; if cash tariff were introduced, would have to give less for hosiery, 2543, 2547; to give money to knitters entails considerable loss, 2579; two prices, cash and goods, 2575; lines, 2581-2590; does not think they are often transferred, 2587; women will not take a less price in cash for their work, 2611; lines are seldom long in currency, 2639; refers to evidence of Catherine Borthwick (p. 32), 2643. -(recalled, p. 71). Refers again to evidence of Catherine Borthwick (p. 32), 3215. -(recalled, p. 77). Price of meal, 3413; dyeing of shawls, 3413. -(recalled, p. 78). Ticketing of goods, 3449. -(recalled, p. 82). Mentions case of a customer making cash purchase in his shop, and a person having lines calling her aside and exchanging her lines for the customer's cash in his presence, a line being tendered in payment of his goods, 3617. -(recalled, p. 356). Explains, with reference to Adam Tait's evidence (p. 356), that, for various reasons, there is often a deficiency of cash in shop, 14,289. -(recalled, p.406). Concurs with Mr. Laurenson (p. 406), 16,035; never barters hosiery for goods from merchants, 16,036. -(recalled, p. 409). Explains, with reference to Slater's evidence (p. 408), that a number of goods are torn in dressing, 16,129.
SLATER, Grace (analysis of her evidence, p. 408), knitter in Lerwick, 16,084; and keeps lodgings, 16,085; generally knits veils, 16,086; gets from 1s. to 1s. 4d. for knitting veils, 16,090. (recalled, p. 409). Produces a veil she is at present making for Mr. Sinclair, 16,128.
SMITH, Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine or (analysis of her evidence. p. 286), lives in Scalloway, 11,683; knits chiefly for Mr. Sinclair, 11,684; has account with him, and gets whatever goods she wishes, 11,684; gets money also when she wishes, 11,688; once bartered tea for milk, 11,698.
SMITH, Hans (analysis of his evidence, p. 117), is master of a smack visiting Fair Island, 4739; takes goods to store there, 4740; people satisfied with quality, but not the price of goods, 4742; it is expensive carrying goods thither, and there is a risk of damage, 4743; other dealers are not allowed to sell goods on the island, 4745-8; or to buy, 4749; people fined for selling cattle or horses to them, 4751.
SMITH, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 322), merchant and fish-curer at Hill Cottage, Sandwick, 13,022; conducts his business in the same manner as Mr. Tulloch (p. 321), 13,025; generally pays more than current price for fish, 13,027; men cannot cure fish so well for themselves, 13,036; buys eggs, pays in goods, 13,043; payment on delivery of fish would not be advantageous to men, as men would not get credit, without which they cannot begin the fishing: they would not know how to manage their money, it would be spent before rent-time, and the landlord would roup their corn or cattle, 13,047; the present system is a great benefit to men in a bad year, 13,048.
SMITH, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 110), fisherman and tenant of land at Trosswick, 4435; corroborates William Goudie, 4437; gets advances from dealer, 4457; never was refused one, but always had a balance in his favour, 4459; never paid fines or liberty money, 4483; but understood he was liable for them, 4484; would be content, but objects to be bound to fish for landlord, 4487; not bound to deal at store, 4488. -(recalled, p. 117). Refers to evidence of Robert Halcrow (p. 115); saw bill mentioned, and states also that a man with a letter was sent to tenants, 4720; from landlord, stating that the lands were given over to his son, 4726; and that they would have to fish for him, under penalty of ejectment, 4727.
SMITH, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 20), fisherman at Burra, 976; and tenant, 977; engaged in home fishing, 977; corroborates Walter Williamson (p. 15), 979; formerly it was a custom with men to take tea from store and sell to each other to obtain money, 986-993; this was forbidden by dealers, 987, 990; are bound to deliver fish, 1003; by written obligation, 994-996; was made to pay liberty money for his sons when they worked for another dealer, 1012; but got it paid back afterwards, 1025.
SMITH, Peter (analysis of his evidence, p. 251), fisherman formerly at Westing, now fish-curer for Spence & Co., 10,343; cures by contract, 10,344; beach boys get credit at the curer's shop at the risk of merchant; fees are paid by merchant on receipt of line, 10,345, 10,368.
SMITH, Robert (analysis of his evidence, p. 220), fisherman and tenant, at Burravoe, to Mr. Henderson, 9104; formerly fished at Samphray for Mr. Robert and Mr. James Hoseason, 9106; bound to do so, 9108, 9122.
SMITH, Mrs. Rosina Duncan or (analysis of her evidence, p. 408), lives in Lerwick, 16,067; husband alive, but old—formerly a seaman, 16,068; has no pension, 16,069; witness knits for her family, 16,070; at one time knitted and sold to Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Leask, 16,072; was paid generally in goods, but got money if she required, 16,080.
SMITH, Rev. William (analysis of his evidence, p. 260), clergyman of Baltasound for three years, 10,701; long payments and running accounts have a very deteriorating effect on the character of the people—it destroys self-reliance, 10,703; men look to merchant for help in bad season, 10,704; does not think many men save money, 10,709; and when men have money they conceal it, having a want of confidence in merchants, 10,710; men indebted sell stock to small traders privately, 10,712; thinks some new system of money payments should be introduced, 10,714; clergyman and small proprietors generally obtain supplies out of Shetland, 10,715; as quality and price of dealer's goods are different, 10,716; the houses of the people are very bad and should be improved, but much might be done by the people themselves if paid weekly or monthly wages, 10,718; the present system leads men into debt, 10,719; has been asked to apply funds collected for widows to liquidate debt, but never did so, 10,725.
SMUGGLING of fish, by men bound to deliver to curer, 966, 3655. 3762, 5577, 5663, 5981, 6564, 6822, 7336, 12,908, 13,158, 13,579, 13,840.
SPENCE, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 256), senior partner of Spence & Co., 10,556; produces letter, 10,558; stating that cash system would be an advantage, and would necessitate no more, and even less, outlay of capital than at present on the part of masters; at least price of fish should be fixed at beginning of season; sooner or later it will be necessary to do so; it is already done with the winter fishing, and might with the summer; it would be an advantage to the merchant in several ways, 10,558; herring fishery is carried on at a great loss at present by merchants in hope of future success, 10,563; there should be co-operation and not competition between merchants, 10,567; as the country is too poor for competition, 10,580.
STEWART, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 216), fisherman and tenant at Seafield, Mid Yell, 8911; sells fish to Mr. Thomas Williamson by direction of landlord, 8917; has no written tack, 8919; paid current price at end of year, 8932; sale of cattle, 8944.
SUTHERLAND, Charlotte (analysis of her evidence, p. 426), [Page 454] knitter in Kirkwall; brought up in Lerwick, and lived there till 1867 with her father, and knitted goods sometimes with merchants' and sometimes with her own wool. After her father's death knitted to a Miss Ogilvy for money and the shops for goods. Knew a great many women in Lerwick who lived entirely by knitting, and had to take goods from the shop and sell them to get money, 16,660.
SUBDIVISION (excessive) of land to multiply fishermen, 9728, 10,925 (size of holdings).
SUGAR, 7948, 8733, 10,231, 12,826, 12,876, 13,212, 13.235, 13,394, 13,416, 15,817, 16,656, 16,659, 16,852, 16,860.
SUTHERLAND, George Sinclair (analysis of his evidence, p. 427). Mr. Methuen, who was to have been examined by commissioner, is forbidden by his medical adviser, and witness attends to speak to points on which he was expected to give information, 16,661. Has been for eight years in Mr. Methuen's service, and manages his business, which is the largest business in Scotland, 16,662; gave up business in Shetland because Mr. Bruce took all his tenants' boats into his own hands, 16,671; he had no shop, 16,677; the system of paying for fish on delivery would be very difficult to work in such places as Shetland, 16,704; it would be a great advantage to merchants, 16,705; men prefer to be paid the current price at end of year, to getting the market price on delivery, 16,720; payment of the price of the day would benefit both men and merchants, 16,729; large boats are an advantage in fishing, 16,764; but in bad weather are more difficult to manage, 16,768.
SUTHERLAND, Rev. James R. (analysis of his evidence, p. 179), is minister of the parish of Northmaven, 7468; and well acquainted with the condition of people, 7470; thinks the system of long payments ruinous to men morally and pecuniarily—destroys independence, 7474; most of the people are indebted, 7475; merchants and men are suspicious of each other, 7490; men think merchants take undue profits, 7491; the evidence of fishermen already given is not to be depended on, as they are in terror of the dealers, 7512; branch shops opened by the dealers, 7520-7523; the system of separate accounts for each member of family destroys family affection and mutual dependence, 7525; parents when aged are neglected by their children, 7526; beach boys are generally indebted, 7533; eggs, 7538; women dress more expensively than is necessary because of the payment of hosiery in goods, 7549; when buying corn and straw, witness cannot get it delivered to him till after dark, because the people are in fear of the merchants, 7563; does not know whether merchants actively cause this terrorism, 7573; money subscribed for widows of men drowned appropriated by merchant for payment of their husbands' debts, 7581; marking of cattle for debt, 7600; whisky, 7615; truck and allowing of credit should be made penal, 7626.
TAIT, Adam (analysis of his evidence, p. 356), shopman to Robert Sinclair, 14,280; settled with Margaret Jamieson (p. 350) for a hap purchased by Mr. Sinclair lately, 14,281; paid 19s. 6d. in goods and 6d. in cash—the bargain was made for goods, and so he refused to give her cash except at a reduction, 14,284; seldom a deficiency of cash in shop, 14,288.
TAIT, Agnes (analysis of her evidence, p. 288), lives in Scalloway alone, 11,755; supports herself entirely by knitting; is always paid in goods; never asked money, because she knew she would not get it, 11,757; got money by sending hosiery south, 11,758; barter of goods for money, 11,759.
TAIT, George Reid (analysis of his evidence, p. 363), agent in Lerwick for whaling vessels, 14,509; settles with men at shipping office in full, 14,513; men generally settled with at once, 14,516; men, as a rule, pay their accounts immediately after, 14,526; are very honourable, 14,527; report by Mr. Hamilton very exaggerated, 14,549; is acquainted with the practice of exchanging lists of men indebted who have left their employment-has not seen any of these for some years, 14,558.
TAIT, Mrs. Jemima Brown or (analysis of her evidence, p. 7), knits for dealer, 335; uses his wool, 338; has pass-book, 343; cannot get money, 352.
TEA, Price of, etc., 986, 1488, 6696, 7399, 7452, 7949, 8733, 8967, 9269, 9811, 10,226, 10,252, 10,318, 10,673, 11,749, 13,393, 13,416, 14,726, 15,808, 15,832, 16,656, 16,830, 16,857.
TENANTS bound to fish for curer, 476, 559, 764, 775, 784, 994, 1003, 1066, 1110, 1114, 1209, 1242, 1396, 2974, 2983, 3021, 4256, 4508, 4575, 4613, 4647, 4803, 4901, 4911, 5077, 5127, 5211, 5284, 5309, 5936, 6028, 7111, 9108, 9224, 9274, 9275, 9304, 9370, 9638, 9821, 9924, 10,402, 10,661, 12,058, 12,367, 12,621, 12,734, 12,774, 12,800, 12,843, 13,082, 13,130, 13,293, 13,833, 13,934, 13,983, 14,075, 14,731, 14,890, 15,061, 16,433, 16,656.
TENANTS free in fishing, 1109, 3047, 5409, 5544, 5804, 6185, 6251, 7975, 8084, 8781, 8894, 9304, 9514, 9555, 9819, 9986, 10,165, 10,208, 10,324, 10,551, 10,622, 10,640, 10,858, 10,874, 10,912, 11,060, 11,729, 11,928, 12,029, 12,247, 12,949, 13,293, 13,455, 15,060, 15,145, 15,154.
THOMASON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 152), fisherman at Eskerness and at Stenness, 6183; fishes for dealer, 6185; free to fish for any one, 6185; tenant of land, 6186; has an account with dealer, 6189; no pass-book, 6190; is not bound to deal at shop, 6192; goods much the same in price as elsewhere, 6193; meal, 6194; does not think a price fixed at beginning of season would be an advantage, 6213; freedom in fishing an advantage to men, 6227; meal, 6235.
THOMPSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 387), seaman in Lerwick, 15,276; has frequently gone thence on sealing and whaling voyages, 15,277; under various agents, 15,278; always got outfit from agent he sailed under, 15,279; got goods from him and balance in cash, 15,285-15,300; always got money when he asked, 15,302; now is paid at Custom-house, and pays his account at shop immediately thereafter, 15,321.
THOMSON, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 287), shopkeeper and grocer at Sandsound in Sandsting, 11,699; deals a little in fish in winter and spring, 11,703; cures for himself, 11,704; pays on delivery, 11,706; in goods if cash not wished, 11,707; runs accounts with fishermen, but does not like doing so, 11,711; might have a better business if men were paid for fish on delivery, 11,717; men have freedom in fishing in his district, 11,729.
TOBACCO, Price of, etc., 5053, 10,229, 10,257, 12,875, 13,204, 13,231, 13,395, 13,457, 16,854.
TULLOCH, Andrew (analysis of his evidence, p. 9), a fisherman, 456; fishes for ling for Mr. Tulloch, 459; is afraid of the landlord taking the tack of the tenants into his own hands, 468; does not complain of present arrangement, except that prices of fish are never fixed till the cud of the season, 474; no written agreements, 476; all the fish delivered to merchant's factor, 484; can get money before settlement to pay rent, 488; would rather contract to supply fish at a stated price, 491; can have pass-books, 495; balance paid at end of season, 501; sometimes a deficiency, 501; which is allowed to stand over, 503; is not bound to deal with merchant, 514; has heard that landlord proposes to take fishing into his own hands, and fears oppression in that case, 528.
TULLOCH, Andrew (analysis of his evidence, p. 134), lives at Brough in Mossbank, 5426; fished for himself for two years, and sold to Mr. Leask, 5427; has a man to cure his fish, 5428; makes more this way, 5430; takes his fish to Lerwick yearly, and is then paid for them, 5434; in cash, 5435; men on Busta estate all free, 5443; pays the same price when buying goods for cash as he would taking them on credit, 5447; price of fish and cost of curing, 5446-5460.
TULLOCH, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, p. 277), shopkeeper at Scalloway to Hay & Co.; they have a shop, 11,309; in winter fishing men paid in cash on delivery, 11,313; men generally take their goods, but are not obliged, 11,372; people employed in curing paid weekly wages, 11,427; they generally take full value of these prior to settlement, 11,429; butter and eggs paid for in goods, 11,435; ready-money payments would facilitate business, 11,455.
TULLOCH, James (analysis of his evidence, p. 60), merchant in Lerwick, 2767; sells drapery, tea, and soap, 2768; deals in hosiery, 2770; buys it chiefly—seldom employs knitters, 2770; pays principally in goods, seldom gives cash, 2771; knitters have no pass-books, 2772; does not sell worsted, 2779; but lately has sold a little Pyrenees wool, 2779; sometimes giving it for hosiery, 2781; objects to sell Shetland wool even for cash, 2783; gives lines, 2785; there is generally no profit on hosiery, 2793; system of payment in goods is very old; does not think knitters would agree to a cash system, as they would be paid a less price, 2800; does not object to a cash system, but thinks it would greatly interfere with the sale of goods, 2807; it would also be injurious to merchants, 2808.
TULLOCH, Margaret (analysis of her evidence, p. 29), knits, 1476; has used her own wool for eighteen months, 1477; previously knitted for Mr. Linklater, 1478; was paid in goods, 1480; had a pass-book, 1481; got tea and sold it to get money, 1488; knits now, and sells to merchants for part money and part goods, 1515-1527; gets articles and sells them to others for money, 1528, 1540.
TULLOCH, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 321), [Page 455] fish-curer and merchant at Lebidden, 12,946; employs a number of crews in summer fishing, 12,947; men not obliged to fish, 12,949; settles annually, 12,953; men have accounts at store, 12,954; pays men a price higher than the current price, 12,972; if price were fixed at the beginning of the season, men would get less, 12,982; men's debts sometimes paid by new merchant, 13,001; is not responsible for rents, 13,007; buys eggs, pays in goods, 13,015.
TULLOCH, William Bruce (analysis of his evidence, p. 359), merchant and shipping agent at Lerwick, 14,379; agent for Greenland whaling vessels, 14,380; disagrees in part with the evidence of Mr. William Robertson, 14,382; lists of balances due by men to merchants are still handed by agents to each other, 14,385; but accounts only paid with consent of man, and when there is a balance sufficient in his favour, 14,386; young hands are not so commonly employed in Greenland fishing now, 14,448; formerly that trade was a nursery for the navy, now the regulations of the Board of Trade have prevented this, 14,454.
TWATT, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 299), merchant at Voe, in the parish of Walls, 12,164; business the same as that of Mr. Georgeson, 12,167; cannot get men to fish for him, 12,173; men are expected to deal at store, 12,195; thinks that skippers of vessels get a fee to make the men deal at store, 12,200; deals a little in hosiery and eggs; pays by barter, 12,217, 12,218.
TWO Prices (cash and credit), 1936, 4238, 5392, 9438, 10,393, 10,507, 11,111, 13,635. -(cash and goods), 2171, 2575, 2726, 12,295, 15,826.
VEILS, Price of, etc., 1422, 9738, 11,629, 16,090, 16,122, 16,128, 16,130, 16,657.
WALKER, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 402). Formerly gave evidence before the commissioners, under the Act of 1870, in Edinburgh, 15,920; re-affirms all evidence then given, and explains as to the value of wool in a shawl, 15,921; contradicts that merchants have no profit on hosiery, as he believes they often have an extremely large one, 15,922; a great deal of land in Shetland is under-rented for the purpose of binding fishermen, 15,936; men are afraid to come forward to give evidence before the commissioner, 15,940; witness has been instrumental in starting a large Limited Liability Company, to afford Shetlanders the means of prosecuting fishing free from the oppression of truck, 15,941; the old system of payments to be adhered to, but men to be paid in cash—in order to provide for outfits, the accounts to be paid by Company whenever the ship leaves with the men on board — and advances to be made to families, 15,947; manages chromate of iron quarries at Unst, 15,969; wages not paid in truck, 15,970; but were formerly, 15,971; since the abolition of truck in parishes with which he is connected, the poor-rates have been reduced considerably, 15,975; merchants often commence business without any capital, and so trade on that of the fishermen, 15,982. — (recalled, p. 406). Messrs. Hay's establishment is the largest of the kind in Lerwick, 16,024; men are ready to sign or do anything they are bid by the curers, 16,027.
WANT of change and money, 10,767, 14,042, 14,064, 14,289.
WANT of independence, 3717 (none), 5992, 8050, 9946, 10,650, 13,877, 14,739.
WARNING too short, 4688, 8055.
WEEKLY or monthly payments (see Short Settlements).
WHALE and Seal Fishery, statements as to, 3991, 7088, 9136, 9609, 10,799, 10,931, 12,506, 13,695, 13,735, 14,080, 14,163, 14,293, 14,509, 14,522, 14,762, 14,815, 15,277, 15,489, 15,547, 15,600, 15,871, 16,221, 16,343, 16,390, 16,530.
WHALES driven ashore by men, one-third of oil taken by landlord, 657, 764, 861, 4405, 11,856, 13,479.
WHALING Agents (see Whale and Seal Fishery).
WILLIAMSON, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 963), fisherman at Cullivoe in North Yell, 10,769; does a good deal in winter fishing, 10,773; makes more by it than most men, 10,774; large boats are not so good for it, 10,788; but he intends to make a trial in one, 10,789; was at whale fishing in 1864, 10,799; men commonly paid in cash unless they require goods, 10,811; does not see any advantage in monthly payments; in his own case, gets money whenever he requires it, 10,827.
WILLIAMSON, Mrs. Christina (analysis of her evidence, p. 4), knits, 150; uses her own wool, 152; often asked for money, but cannot get it, 160-165; sells a shawl, and opens an account with dealer, 175-186.
WILLIAMSON, Mrs. C. (recalled, p. 356). Corrects her former evidence (p. 4) to the effect that it was not Mr. Laurenson but Mr. Laurence to whom she sold a shawl, 14,291.
WILLIAMSON, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 121), fisherman and tenant, Eastshore, Dunrosness, 4888; free in fishing till twelve years since, then bound to fish for tacksman, 4901; corroborates William Goudie (p. 105) and others, 4904; can always get money, 4905.
WILLIAMSON, George (analysis of his evidence, p. 232), fisherman at Mid Yell; goes to whale and seal fishing, 9609; in whale fishing month's wages paid in advance, and allotment notes given, 9613.
WILLIAMSON, Gideon (analysis of his evidence, p. 202), fisherman at Muckle Roe, 8333; fishes for Mr. Inkster, 8335; is settled with at Hallowmas yearly, 8336; deals at Mr. Inkster's store, 8337; does not wish to deal elsewhere, 8342; never knew men change employers because of being in debt, 8348.
WILLIAMSON, Gilbert (analysis of his evidence, 253), principal storekeeper to Spence & Co., Haroldswick, 10,448; knows nothing of hosiery purchases, as they are made by Mrs. Spence, 10,450; gets lines by her from women, 10,452; and always pays them in goods, 10,455.
WILLIAMSON, Mrs. Grace (analysis of her evidence, p. 201), lives in Muckle Roe, 8253; knits and makes cloth, 8254; uses her own wool for the cloth, 8256; gets either money or goods in payment as she requires, 8257; her husband fishes for Mr. Inkster, 8274; she has no separate account at shop from her husband, 8277.
WILLIAMSON, Henry (analysis of his evidence, p. 153), fisherman at Stenness, 6248; tenant at Tangwick, 6249; free in fishing, 6251; fishes for dealer, 6252; deals principally at his shop, 6253; gets advances during season if required, 6265; is satisfied with price and quality of goods at shop, 6266; thinks the fixing of a price for fish at the beginning of the season would be a great disadvantage to men, 6267; people are often supported by merchants in bad seasons, 6274-6277; kelp, 6325.
WILLIAMSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 218), merchant at Linkhouse, Mid Yell, 8993; men free to fish to any one, 8998; formerly engaged to fish for him, but had to break their engagements by order of their landlord (see William Stewart's evidence, p. 216), 9000; deals a little in hosiery, 9052; pays chiefly in goods, 9053; has occasionally liquidated debts of fishermen coming into his employment, 9074.
WILLIAMSON, Margaret (analysis of her evidence, p. 202), lives in Muckle Roe, 8308; knits and makes some cloth, 8309; knits her own wool, 8310; is always paid in goods, cannot get money, 8314; paid for cloth in money if required, 8328.
WILLIAMSON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 228), merchant and fish-curer at Seafield, 9463; previously shopman to Magnus Mouat, 9464; his system of business, 9469-9486; purchase of cattle, 9489; supplying of fishermen the principal support of his business, 9495-9500; would not wish men to fish for him unwillingly, 9523; gives for fish the current price as fixed by the principal merchants, 9538; deals a little in hosiery and yarn, 9547; sells it in Lerwick for goods, 9548; hosiery and worsted are bad speculations, 9552.
WILLIAMSON, Walter (analysis of his evidence, p. 15), fisherman at Burra, 762; tenant, 763; complains that men are bound to fish for landlord or pay liberty money, and that price not fixed till end of season; cannot get leases, and owing to the nature of the settlements must deal at landlord's shop; one-third of oil from whales driven on shore is taken by landlord; daughters who knit cannot get payment in money (these statements made in a letter signed by witness and twelve others), 764; not under written obligation to fish for landlord, 775; but bound verbally, 776; cannot obtain liberty, 784; would prefer to fish on his own account, 788; but would be ejected if he did, 790; long settlements, 807; would prefer the price to be fixed at the beginning of season, if fixed honestly, 860; whales, 861-4; Faroe fishing, 876; ejection for giving evidence, 900; rents, 911; farm produce, 939; men have the advantage of credit in bad seasons, 954; but if they had liberty, would not require it, 955; quality and price of store goods, 956; men occasionally are obliged to cure and sell fish secretly to obtain money, 967-970.
WILLIAMSON, William (analysis of his evidence, p. 250), fisherman at Snarravoe, Unst, and tenant, 10,320; supposes he is quite free in fishing, 10,324; and to deal [Page 456] at any shop, 10,325; once fished for fixed price, and got more at the end of the season, 10,330; price fixed always in the herring fishery, 10,336; does not know whether monthly payments would be an advantage, 10,341.
WILSON, Laurence (analysis of his evidence, p. 426), is a fisherman at Kirkwall; was born and lived in Fair Isle until 1869; left because he expected to be evicted; prices were too high in Fair Isle, 16,659.
WILSON, Thomas (analysis of his evidence, p. 424), weaver at Kirkwall; born in Fair Isle, and lived there until lately; population about 30 or 40 families; they live chiefly by fishing, and that principally in the summer; have always been bound to deliver their fish to proprietor; men were settled with year]y, and never could get cash; previously prices at store were much higher than charged by hawkers who came to the island, 16,656.
WINTER Fishing, 7212, 7802, 8033, 8815, 8847, 8904, 9328, 9887, 10,001, 10,062, 10,083, 10,633, 10,773, 11,312, 11,703, 12,279, 12,478, 12,764, 12,879. -Possibility of extending.
WINWICK, Catherine (analysis of her evidence, p. 1), knits for Mr. Linklater, 2; uses his wool, 5; and is paid for her knitting, 7; partly in money, partly in goods, 8; price fixed by merchant, 9; keeps no passbook, 12; does not think she could have got payment entirely in money, but never tried, 15; is always content, 19; only needs money for rent or provisions, 20; always got whatever money she asked, 22; but would have liked more, 29; knits a shawl in about a month, 31; gets 10s. in money and goods, 33; wool usually supplied, and women paid for the knitting, 44-46; dealers will not sanction any other arrangement, 60.
WOOD, John (analysis of his evidence, p. 203), is a fisherman atMuckle Roe, 8360; to Mr. Inkster, 8361; corroborates GideonWilliamson (p. 202), 8363; men's debts usually transferred to newmerchant, 8373.
WOOL and worsted, 449, 1154, 1423, 1515, 1571, 1671, 1717, 1890, 1955, 2288, 2463, 2752, 2783, 2897, 3087, 3188, 3269, 3486, 6462, 7317, 8486, 8897, 9058, 9412, 9547, 9715, 9723, 9734, 10,183, 11,507, 11,571, 13,815, 14,005, 14,053, 15,396, 15,921, 16,043, 16,116.
WORSTED a ready-money article, 449, 1720, 11,545, 11,579.
YOUNG, Charles (analysis of his evidence, p. 143), fisherman at Stenness, 5773; holds no land, 5775; goes to home fishing, 5777; deals with merchant, 5789; can get advances of money during season, 5791; meal, 5799; goods as good and cheap at merchant's store as at any other shop, 5801; not bound to fish, 5804; would like price fixed at beginning of season, 5814; but thinks there might be some difficulty in getting fishermen to abide by their bargain, 5819; men in debt to curer expected to fish for him, 5829.