The existence of such an understanding is sometimes denied, as by Mr. Pole, a merchant; but he evidently means only that there is no expressed bargain or arrangement. He adds, at the same time (speaking of the women employed at so much per ton in collecting kelp, who, like every other class of people in Shetland, have similar accounts), that they take a considerable part of their wages in goods:

'5925. Is there any expectation or understanding, when these women are engaged, that they shall open an account and take their wages, or the greater part of them, in goods at your shop?-No, there is no understanding; but we have every reason to believe that they will come to us, because they cannot manage otherwise.' '5926. Are the goods which they take generally provisions or soft goods?-Chiefly provisions, but some soft goods too.' '5927. In engaging these women, do you give any preference to those who deal at your shop?-No; but they mostly all deal there.' '5928. Has each of them a ledger account in her own name with you?-Yes.'

A very observant and shrewd witness, speaking of the lobster and oyster trade, in which he is engaged, says:

[Page 15 rpt.]

'11,817. I understood you to say that when the men come with oysters and lobsters to the shop, and were paid, they generally took away some supplies from the shop?-They generally do, but they are not asked to do it.' '11,818. Do they appear to think it a fair and proper thing that they should do so?-I think they do.' '11,819. Is that a common sort of feeling, among the men?-Yes, it is it common feeling in the country.' '11,820. In short, they apologize if they don't spend the money in the shop where they get it?-Something like that. I should not say that they apologize, but sometimes they tell me what they want the money for, and they say they have to take it away. Of course they are not asked to leave it.' '11,821. But there seems to be it kind of understanding that they are to spend part of their earnings in the shop?-The people seem to have the opinion that they ought to do that.' '11,822. And I suppose the merchant has some feeling of the same kind also?-I never ask them to spend the money in the shop; but of course we are glad to get what money we can.' '11,823. I suppose they don't require to be asked to spend some of it?-No.'

[W. Harcus, 11,817.]

CASH ADVANCES

There is a reluctance on the part of the men to ask for an advance of cash, arising partly from the feeling I have mentioned, and partly from the habitual and natural reluctance of the merchant to give it. When cash is given, it is for a special purpose, such as the payment of rent or taxes, or the purchase of some article which the merchant himself cannot supply.

[P. Peterson, 6845; J. Laurenson, 9872; W.G. Mouat, 10,249; C. Nicholson, 11,977; l. Garriock, 12,589; J. Robertson, 8484; T. Robertson, 8597, J. Harrison, 16,509.]

'4973. Does Mr. Grierson advance you money in the course of the year before settlement when you ask for it?-He does.' '4974. Can you not take that money and deal with it at any other store that suits you better than Mr. Grierson's?-We do that very often.' '4975. Then how is it that you say that you have not the means of dealing where you choose?-What I mean by that is, that we don't have the chance to do it so often as we would like to do it; and we don't like to be always running to him for money for the small things we require. It is only in particular cases, when we require it pound or so to help us, that we ask it from him.'

[James Flawes, 4973-5.]

'8522. You say you were not bound to do it: is it common for men to feel that they are bound to do that?-Of course. If I was employed by a curer or a merchant, and had been in the habit of dealing with another before I was employed by him, I would consider it something like a duty, in a moral point of view, to put my money into his shop; and I have done so, although I have never been obligated to do it.'

[P. Blanch, 8522.]

In some cases the evidence shows that cash advances during the season have been absolutely refused, or that at least it is thought useless to ask for them. Thus, says Malcolm Malcolmson:

'3004. Did you consider yourselves bound to take goods from Mouat's store?-We could not do anything else.' '3005. Why?-Because we had no money to purchase them with from other stores. We received no money during the fishing season.' '3006. Did you ever ask for advances of money during the fishing season?-Yes; but they were refused.' '3007. Why?-Because he just would not give it. He gave no reason, except that he could not give it.'

[M. Malcolmson.] [W. Manson, 3040; J. Nicholson, 8747.]

The merchant, both in Faroe fishing and ling fishing, naturally prefers to make any necessary advances in goods rather than money:

.. 'They make advances, perhaps before, but as soon the men engage to go to the fishing. It may be about this time, or it may be a month previous to this, when they make the engagement to go.' '8526. And they make an advance then either in cash or in out-takes?-I don't think they will likely give much cash. They may give 8s. or 10s. in cash; but unless they know the man is to be depended upon, I don't think they will give much more. They may give 1 to a man until he has made some earning by his fishing; but unless it is a case where they know it can be paid back again by the man otherwise, they will not give it. He may pay it out of his stock, for instance, or he may have some other means.'

[Peter Blanch.]

It was common in the past-though now cash is given more readily, at least in Lerwick and by the leading merchants-to refuse money before settlement, while the merchant was quite willing to advance to any reasonable amount in goods. This preference is sometimes shown very unmistakeably even in settling for the winter fish. This applies to Faroe still more than to ling fishing.

[W. Williamson, 821, 833; C. Sinclair, 1177; A. Tulloch, 5495; J. Anderson, 6550; J. Goodlad, 1188; J, Manson, 2962.]

The truth as to cash advances is very succinctly stated by a large employer, Mr. John Anderson of Hillswick, who says: 'I think they would not get cash (before settlement) unless they were clear, or unless we had good cause to know that they were really in necessity for something.'

[J. Anderson, 6546; A. Sandison, 7076; J. Robertson, 8484; T. Hutchison, 12,637.]

But although witnesses do not speak of many cases of actual refusal to advance money before settlement, it is well understood that the merchant, to whom the men look for more or less liberal support in bad seasons, prefers to make advances in goods. The Shetland peasant is quick to comprehend and act upon such a feeling; and hence the understanding is almost universal that cash is asked for only within [Page 16 rpt.] very moderate limits, even by unindebted men, and the particular purpose for which it is wanted is generally specified.

There are, of course, differences in the readiness with which cash is advanced by the various merchants, as the returns made to me show. Thus there is unanimous testimony to the fact, that Mr. John Bruce, jun., whose 'bondage' and prices were most loudly complained of, never refuses money advances before settlement, when asked, to the full amount of the fish at a man's credit, and, in the case of a good man, to any reasonable amount he may ask for. In some places, advances are mostly made at the settlement of the previous year, to men who have got as much money as they require.

[L. Smith, 4457, 4486; H. Gilbertson, 4533; G. Leslie, 4629; R. Halcrow, 4676; A. Leslie, 4885; G. Williamson, 4905; J. Bruce, Jun., 13,322; G. Irvine, 13, 162; J.L. Pole, 9391.]

The effect of the long settlements in compelling men to deal at the merchant's shop is very clear to the men themselves, although they do not appear to regard it as a great hardship, except where the goods at a particular shop are of bad quality or high price. William Goudie says:

'4298. Are you under any obligation to buy your goods from Mr. Bruce's shop?-Not strictly speaking.' '4299. What do you mean by "not strictly speaking?"-In one sense we are not bound, yet in another sense we are bound. There is no rule issued out that we must purchase our goods from there; but as we fish for Mr. Bruce, and have no ready money, we can hardly expect to run accounts with those who have no profit from us. That confines many of us to purchase our goods from his shop.' .....'We cannot expect to run a heavy account with a man who has no profit from us, when we are uncertain whether we will be able to clear that account or not. Therefore, as a rule, we do not run heavy accounts for such things as meal, for instance, when our crops are a failure, with any man except Mr. Bruce.'

[Wm. Goudie, 4928, 4307.] [L. Smith, 4480, 4488.]

And another witness says:

'4669. But if the prices are so much higher at the Boddam shop than elsewhere, why do you go there when you say you are not obliged in any way to take goods from the Boddam shop? Why do you not go to Gavin Henderson's for them?-I am obliged to go to the Boddam shop and take my goods there if I have no money in my pocket to buy them elsewhere.' '4670. Does that often happen?-Perhaps not very often with me, but it happens as a general thing among many of the men. I believe there are as many men who have to go to Mr. Bruce's store and take their goods there, in consequence of the want of money to pay for them at other places, as there are who can go and open accounts with other merchants and pay them yearly'

[R. Halcrow, 4669.]

MEN MUST DEAL AT CURER'S SHOP

The main reason why men must deal with the fish-curer is, that most of them have neither money nor credit elsewhere. The fish-curer is secured in the fisherman's services for the fishing season, and holds his earnings in his hands for a year. He cannot lose by him, unless he voluntarily allows his 'out-takes' to exceed his earnings. But other shopkeepers have no such security; indeed they know that the man is already engaged to fish for a rival shopkeeper, and that the latter will not only pay himself for his possibly large account, but will also retain the man's rent, leaving for other creditors at best but a small balance, and not always a balance, of his earnings. Add to this that in bad seasons many fishermen depend on the merchants for larger advances than one season's fishing can repay, and it becomes apparent that the attraction to the merchant's shop is not only the possibility of present credit, but gratitude for past favours, and the certain expectation of having to ask for similar favours in future. It is quite true, as Mr. Irvine says, that 'one great drawback on a Shetland business is fishermen's bad debts, and our chief study is to limit the supplies when we know the men to be improvident; but it is quite impossible to keep men clear when the fishing proves unsuccessful.' And there is evidence that in bad seasons, such as 1868-69, merchants are expected to advance, and do advance, large amounts in meal and other necessaries, and in cash for rent. Where such advances are made, the fishermen are of course bound, sometimes by a written obligation, to fish for their creditor next season.

[M. Johnson, 7909, 7921, 7928; James Brown, 7977; C. Georgeson, 12,126; James Hay, 5401; W. Irvine, 3623, p. 83b 3793; A. Sandison, 10,016; J. Hay, 10,540; A.J. Grierson, 15,089; W. Irvine, 3796.]

The habit of dealing on credit at the fish-curer's store is so inveterate, that even men who have means to buy their provisions, etc., frequently begin the account for the year at the very time of settlement. Mr. Grierson says:

'15,096. But do you think a man would stand permanently in arrear at settlement with you if he had money in the bank?-No; but if I settle with him in January, I believe he would go and deposit a 10 note from that year's settlement, and begin a new account with me, and get a new boat, and let it stand to his credit until next year. But he would never think of having a permanent running balance with me if he had money of his own in bank.' '15,097. Is it a general thing among the men to go and deposit some of their money in bank and begin a new account with you?- Yes, I believe they do that for a single year. They would be great fools if they did not. They keep a pass-book, if they choose, with, the shop, and they would be no better off if they were to pay for their goods in money.'

[A.J. Grierson, 15,096.]

[Page 17 rpt.]

'Plenty of them,' says Mr. Peter Garriock, speaking of Faroe fishers, 'are able to live on their own resources, but still they come for their supplies;'and he gives an example, which is not a solitary one. Mr. John Harrison says:

... 'The system has obtained so long, of fishermen requiring advances, or rather taking advances, that they cannot see, or do not understand, why they should take their own money in order to buy the necessary supplies before they proceed to the fishing. I have no doubt that they have also this idea, that the fish-curer takes a sufficient profit upon the goods supplied, and they consider they have a right to keep their money and not to pay for them until the end of the season.'

[P. Garriock, 15,223; W.B.M. Harrison, 15,724; John Harrison, 16,511]

It is of course a result of this system, that a large shop business, in many districts, can be carried on only by one who has a fish-curing establishment. In Lerwick and in Walls, in one case in Dunrossness (Gavin Henderson), and perhaps in Unst, some shops have succeeded without the aid of fishing, but always under difficulties. Fish-curers have also attempted to confirm or extend this monopoly by artificial means, such as the prohibition of rival shops,-as in Burra, Whalsay, Unst, Northmaven, Fetlar , and Yell.

[T. Williamson, 9463; G. Georgeson, 12,111; A. Sandison, 10,133.]

It has thus come to pass that there is almost nowhere in Shetland, out of Lerwick, a shop of any size not belonging to a fish-curer. I attempted to ascertain the views of various small shopkeepers, struggling to make a trade, with regard to their larger neighbours. Sometimes these men did not understand the disadvantage under which they are placed; or they may have had views of eventually rising by the same means which have led their competitors on to fortune; or, as there was sometimes reason to suspect, they may have been put into business by a larger merchant to sell his goods on commission, or have been otherwise indebted to him or dependent upon him. Whatever may be the cause, shopkeepers of this class are not so sensitive, or not so communicative, on this point as might be expected. One or two, however, were found independent enough, or intelligent enough, to tell how their business is hampered and confined by the local custom, which thirls the men to the shops of the fish-merchants. Mr. Georgeson, a respectable shopkeeper in the parish of Walls not engaged in fish-curing, says that men who sell their fish green are necessarily less frequent customers of his than those who cure their own fish. He thinks that the skipper generally influences his men to take their supplies from the shop of the merchant, or at least that the men are apt to be guided to do so by his example; while his neighbour, Mr. Twatt, thinks 'there is a little bribe which the skippers get for seeing that the men go to the shop.' I give this, however, merely as an opinion by a shrewd but not disinterested local observer. The force of custom, the want of ready money, and the other influences already mentioned, are quite sufficient to account for the great amount of this kind of Truck which exists in Shetland, without having recourse to the supposition that skippers or others are bribed to induce men to buy goods at the employer's shop.

[G. Georgeson, 12,122; J. Twatt, 12,200; R. Henderson, 12,860.]

ARGUMENTS FOR PRESENT SYSTEM

I have said that some of the employers are prepared with arguments to vindicate the system of annual settlements. The favourite argument is, that it affords the men, or at least a certain class of them, protection against their own improvidence. For instance, Mr. P.M. Sandison says:

'5235. Does not that system of long settlements induce people to be a little careless about their money, and improvident?-There are a certain class who, if they had money, would spend it. That class are pretty well looked after by the fish-curer; they are only allowed advances in such small proportions as enable them to get through the year, and to be as little in arrear as possible at the end. If these same parties had the money in their hands, I am certain it would not last them so long as it does in the fish-curer's hands.' '5236. That is to say, he will only allow them certain amount of supplies from the shop?-Yes, so much a week or a fortnight.' '5237. Or cash if they want it, but to a limited extent?-Yes; I should think that cash would be given to a free man.' '5238. But not to a bound fisherman?-Not unless it was for a necessary purpose-to purchase something, for instance, which the merchant cannot supply.'

[P. Smith, 986; L.F.U. Garriock, 12,372; W. Irvine, 3641, 3826; J. Anderson, 6707; Rev. J. Sutherland, 7518; A. Harrison, 7664; T. Gifford, 8102-8124; D. More, 9634; A. Sandison, p.248 f.n. to 10,205, 10,483; J. Spence, 10.559.]

The members of the firm which holds the lands and fishings in Unst urged strongly that only a large concern like theirs would have the interests of the men in view as well as their own, and, by possessing a monopoly and restricting the men's credit, keep them free from debt. With this view they have made war against small shops in that island. The returns show that they have not yet succeeded in keeping the men free from debt.

[A. Sandison, 10,494; J. Spence, 10,559.]

The sort of partnership that exists between merchant and fisherman, the latter being paid in proportion to the results of the whole year's transactions, is the chief excuse for delaying settlements. The views of the merchants on this point may be seen from the following passage in the examination of Mr. Robertson, manager for Mr. Leask, one of the chief merchants in Shetland. Mr. Robertson came forward with other [Page 18 rpt.] merchants for the purpose of denying the Report of Mr. Hamilton to the Board of Trade, and the other statements made in the previous inquiry:-

... 'Then I deny that the truck system in an open or disguised form prevails in Shetland to an extent which is unknown in any other part of the United Kingdom. I have no proof to offer in contradiction of that statement; I simply deny it, and I don't believe it.' '13,698. What is the population of Shetland?-About 30,000.' '13,699. Of these, how many do you suppose consist of fishermen and their families?-I should say that perhaps about three-fourths of them are fishermen and seamen, and their families.' '13,700. I suppose the seamen are mostly the younger members of the families?-Yes.' '13,701. Is it not the case that almost every fisherman has an account with the merchant to whom he sells his fish?-Yes; but I don't consider that to be truck at all.' '13,702. That account is settled at the end of the year, part of the value of the man's fish being taken out in supplies of goods, and the balance being paid in cash, if any balance is due?-Yes. He simply has an account, in the same way that all the retail merchants in Shetland and everywhere else have to deal with wholesale merchants, and have to pay them.' '13,703. Do you suppose Mr. Hamilton meant anything else than that by saying that the truck system prevailed in Shetland?-I am not bound to know what he meant, but I deny his statement.' '13,704. I presume he merely intended to state that a great part of the earnings of every fisherman, as well as of some other people in Shetland, were really settled by taking out goods from the employers. Do you suppose he meant anything else than that?-I am afraid he did. I am afraid he meant to convey the idea that the men got nothing but goods when they should have got money.' '13,705. Is it not the case that many of them do get nothing but goods?-That is their own fault.' '13,706. Still it may be the fact, although it is their own fault?-It may be the fact, because the men earn very little, and they require supplies of provisions and clothing; and no person would give them such supplies unless the person who employs them. But I don't think that is truck, in the common meaning of the word.' '13,707. Then the difference between you is rather a dispute about the meaning of the word "truck" than as to the actual state of matters in Shetland?-I would not even admit that. I don't think there is any room for complaint about the state of matters in Shetland, as a rule.' '13,708. I suppose you mean that the fishermen have a certain advantage by getting advances of goods? -Of course they have.' '13,709. But you do not mean to deny the fact that they do get such advances when they require them?- Of course I don't deny that; but the shipowner or curer runs a great risk in advancing goods on the security of fish which have to be caught. It is a very good thing in a good season, but in a bad season he may come rather short.' '13,710. On the other hand, he does not pay for the fish that are caught until six or seven months afterwards?-He does not realize them until then. None of the fishcurers get one penny for their fish until about the end of December, except perhaps for a very small parcel which they may send to a retail dealer in the south.' '13,711. That may be quite true; but is any employer of labour in a better position?-Yes.' '13,712. A farmer, for instance, pays his labourers weekly or fortnightly, as the case may be, and he very often does not realize his crops until many months afterwards?-That is true; but he is selling his butter and milk and cattle.' '13,713. Still it does not follow that he is paid for them at the time?-Cattle, I think, are generally paid for in cash.' '13,714. But there are other producers, such as manufacturers, who are only paid by long-dated bills, generally at three months?-Yes; but here the merchant does not get his return until the end of twelve months. The fish-merchant or curer begins to advance in the beginning of January, and he continues to advance until the end of December, without getting any money back; so that he lies out of his money for twelve months. He neither gets money from the party to whom he advances the goods, nor from the party to whom he sells his fish.' '13,715. Do you think that is the main justification for the long settlements which are made with the men?-Of course it is.'

The real or imaginary necessity under which the men are placed, of dealing at the merchant's shop, is demonstrated by their taking meal and other bulky articles a distance of many miles to their own houses, although there are shops nearer home where they could be purchased of as good quality, and it would seem sometimes better and cheaper. Thus James Hay says:

'5343. Do you deal at his shop for all your provisions and your purchases of cotton and other things?-I do for the principal part of what I need, but not altogether.' '5344. How far do you live from Mr. Adie's nearest shop?-About 71/2 miles; his shop is at Voe.' '5345. Do you always go there for what you want?-Yes; generally I do that, unless sometimes when I am needing some small things, I may go to another: but I am not bound to go to his shop unless I choose to go.' '5346. Then why do you go so far?-Because I generally fish to Mr. Adie, and I have the greatest part of my dealings with him. I have not been accustomed to shift very much, unless it might be an inconvenience to me, and sometimes I have gone to another shop.'. . . '5399. Are you under any obligation to go to Mr. Adie's shop for the goods you want in the course of the year?-None that I am aware of.' '5400. You have never been told it of course; but is it a great deal more convenient for you to go there than to deal at another shop?-No; it is not more convenient. I could go to a shop somewhat nearer; but still I don't think I would be any better; and as it has always been my custom to go there, I just continue to go.' '5401. Is it only because it is your custom to go, or is it because you are in the way of delivering your fish to Mr. Adie, that you go to his store?-Mr. Adie has been very obliging to me many a time, by helping me when I could not help myself, and therefore I always felt a warm heart towards him, and went to his store.' '5402. But is it the way with the fishermen here, that they go to the shop of the man that they sell their fish to?-I am not able to speak to that except for myself.' '5403. Do you not know what your neighbours do? -It depends on the circumstances that my neighbours are in. If they are indebted to the man they are fishing to, of course they will go to that man, and perhaps have very little to go to him with.' '5404. Are those neighbours of yours who are so indebted also likely to engage to fish for the same the merchant during the following season?-Yes. When a man is short of money, and has not enough with [Page 19 rpt.] which to pay his land rent, he may go to the man he is fishing to, and he will help him with what he requires; but the understanding in that case is, that he will serve him at the fishing for the rising year. That is generally the way it is done.' '5405. Do you mean that when a man gets advances at a merchant's shop, it is understood that he must fish to him in the coming year?-Yes; that is generally understood.'

[James Hay, 5352 etc.; W. Green, 5860 (Voe to Sullom); W. Blance, 6057, 6118 (Voe to Ollaberry); G. Scollay, 8417; J. Robertson, 8454 (Muckle Roe to Hillswick); J. Johnston, 9552 (Voe to Burravoe); T. Robertson, 8590.]

So John Twatt, a merchant, says:

'12,210. Is it not the fact that men who live near you do go to Reawick for supplies, although it is much farther away?-Yes.' '12,211. And although it is inconvenient?-Yes, it is inconvenient. They could do much better by coming to my shop, which is next door to them, and they could get as good articles at the same price as they can at Reawick.' '12,212. How far is it from your place to Reawick?-I think it is about 10 or 12 miles.' '12,213. When the men go there for meal or other supplies, are these supplies brought across the country?-Sometimes they are brought by boats, and sometimes round by the rocks.'

BOATS AND FISHING MATERIALS.

Advances by the fish-curer to fishermen, in the form of boats and fishing materials, form a very material portion of the debits in the men's accounts. For the most part the boats used in the ling fishing belong to the men. It is generally understood that when a crew gets a new boat, it is to be paid up in three years. Sometimes a good fishing enables them to pay it the first year; more frequently the payment extends beyond the three years-generally for five fishing seasons. The price of the boat is charged against the crew, which has a company account in the merchant's books, and they are labourers jointly and severally liable for the whole. When a boat is furnished, it is always understood that the men are to continue to fish for the merchant who furnishes it until the whole price is paid; and this of course constitutes a bond over the men for three or more years, as the case may be. Sometimes hire is charged for the boat, or for the boat and lines. A new boat, ready for sea, costs 20; if supplied with new lines, the whole cost will be from 35 to 40. The men agree to pay 6 as hire for boat and lines, or 2 to 3 for the boat, for the period of the summer fishing. In Yell and other places, the merchant, for this hire, undertakes the risk of the whole. On the west coast of Shetland, the rate charged as hire and the amount of the annual instalment of the price of the boat and lines appear to be the same; and the lines, if lost, are understood, it is said, to be at the risk of the men in both cases, which is an inversion of the ordinary rule of law in location. It is generally said that little or no profit is derived by merchants from boat hires or the sale of boats. In some places, however, those who are anxious to get into business make deductions from the boat hire; in order to get men to agree to fish to depending entirely for their profit on the fish and goods sold. Hence it may be inferred, either that the hires charged are sufficient to remunerate the merchant for his outlay and risk, or that the profits made from the fish and goods sold are so large as to allow of this bonus being given.

[W. Irvine, 3838; T.M. Adie, 5607; T. Tulloch, 12,960; G. Irvine, 13,272; O. Jamieson, 13,396; P.M. Sandison, 5206; T.M. Adie, 5610; W. Pole, 5881, 5890, 5953; D. Greig, 7125, 7153, 7209; L. Williamson, 9092; John Laurenson, 9856; T. Tulloch, 12,958; A. Johnson, 14,933; T.M. Adie, 5638, 5642; P. Peterson, 6808; A. Sandison, 10,133; C. Nicholson, 11,950; L. Williamson, 9092; T. Williamson, 9514.]

With regard to lines and hooks, and such things as the men require for the fishing, they are bound or expected at most places to buy them from the merchant for whom they fish.

[J. Robertson, 8454; P. Blanch, 8717.]

Turning from the debit to the credit side of the account between the curer and the fisherman, the most important branch of the latter is the price of the fish. This is fixed in Shetland only when the annual sales of cured fish have been effected, in September or October. The understanding is that the men shall get the current price. This is not ascertained in any formal way; but as there is little difference between the prices obtained by the various curers, each calculates for himself how much he can afford to give to the crews for the green fish, and pays accordingly. There is always, of course, some knowledge, more or less vague and general, of the prices obtained and given by other curers, and there may be a consultation of some kind between the leading merchants. In some cases, curers, especially those who are in a small way, wait until the leading merchants have settled with their men, and thus avoid questions with their men. In all cases the men hear how much their neighbours have got for their green fish; and it may be supposed that there is sufficient competition for men to ensure that the highest possible sum will be given. The fishermen themselves, however, do not seem to be satisfied of this, and there is an impression among some of them that 'the current price' of green fish is fixed by arrangement among the merchants at a lower rate than they might afford. This belief has originated, or has been encouraged, by the fact that the dealers of Cunningsburgh, in Sandwick parish, have for some years paid considerably more than 'the current price.' In 1871, the usual payment to fishermen was 8s. per cwt. of wet fish, which was thus ascertained: 21/4 cwt. of wet fish are calculated to produce [Page 20 rpt.] cwt dry. The current price of dry fish was 23s. per cwt.; cost of curing is usually estimated at 2s. 6d. per cwt. dry (or by Mr. Irvine at 3s.). Thus:-

Price of 21/2- cwt. wet ling, at 8s., 18s. 0d. Cost of curing, at 2s. 6d., 2s. 6d. Merchants' profit and commission, 2s. 6d., 2s. 6d. Total, 23s.

or about 11 per cent.* Merchants say that the cost of curing is actually greater than 2s. 6d. per cwt., and that their profit has to cover not only the risk of bad debts and insurance, but likewise a loss upon boat hires and sales, which never remunerate. Fishermen, on the other hand, assert that curing never costs so much as 2s. 6d. per cwt.; and they appeal, in support of this, not only to their experience in curing their own fish, but to the higher rates paid by Messrs. Smith & Tulloch in Sandwick parish The reply, as regards these merchants, is that they sell to retail merchants direct, and thus save profit of the middlemen or wholesale purchasers; but there is evidently a feeling of irritation among other fishcurers, because they have broken in upon the practice of paying a uniform price throughout the islands. A similar question with regard to the cost of curing has been raised in the Faroe fishing.

[L.F.U. Garriock, 12,581; W. Irvine, 3742; J.L. Pole, 9423; J. Bruce, jun., 13,332; J. Flawes, 4919; A.J. Grierson, 15,105; L. Williamson, 9085; A. Sandison, 10,154; L. Williamson, 9097; T. Williamson, 9515, 9536; L. Mail, 662; R. Halcrow, 4694; G. Blance; 5561; A. Sandison, 7062; J. Nicholson, 8721; J. Flawes, 4990; J.S. Houston, 9673; W. Irvine, 3623; W. Pole, 5882 sqq.; J.S. Houston, 9698; A. Sandison, 10,125; W. Robertson, 13, 646; L.F.U. Garriock, 12,565.]

Some men complain because they do not know what they are to get for their fish and that they 'work away as if they were blind;' but it is said on in a few cases where a price has been fixed at the beginning of the season and the price that has risen, the men have grumbled, and the curer has been obliged to pay the higher current price in order to retain the future services of the men. There is not, however, sufficient evidence to justify the conclusion that Shetland fishermen would, as a body, resent a merchant's adherence to a bargain which on other occasions must turn out to be a favourable one for themselves and a losing one for him. If there is any advantage in the present system, it is, as the Rev. Mr. Fraser points out, on the side of the fisherman, who is less able than the merchant to foresee the probable course of the market, and who, if the suggested change were adopted, would have to take, in the run of cases, such a price as the merchant might judge safe for himself.

[James Hay, 5375; A.J. Grierson, 15,081; P. Garriock, 15,228; J. S. Houston, 9862; A. Sandison, 10,009; Rev. J. Fraser, 8071, but see P. Blanch, 8546.]

*CURERS' PROFITS.

Mr. Irvine (3623) says the prices of last year leave only 40s. per ton to the curer, out of which he has to pay store rent, weighing, skippers' fees, gratuities to fishermen, and to meet loss by small and damaged fish, and of interest and risk. The total quantity of cod, ling, and hake landed from open boats and cured in Shetland in the year ending 31st December 1871, according to the returns made to the Fisheries Board, was 46,391 cwt. If we suppose that the expenses which are to be paid out of the fishcurers' 2s. per cwt. amount to 6d. per cwt., there remains a sum of 3479, 6s. 8d., as the total profit earned by thirty-seven fish-curers and fish-curing firms. If we suppose that these expenses absorb 1s. of this surplus, then the total profit amounts only to 2319, 11s. It may be observed, however that other sources of profit are open to these fish-curers. All of them have shops, in which the aggregate credit sales to fishermen amounted in the year 1871 (from settlement to settlement) to probably 14,000. A considerable amount of cash transactions, and sales of goods for butter and eggs, also take place at their counters; and many of them deal in cattle and kelp, and are engaged in the Faroe fishing. With all these sources of income, however, it is difficult to believe that no larger direct profit per cent. is earned from so complicated and hazardous a business as the ling fishing.

STOCK SOLD TO MERCHANTS

Next to fish, cattle sold form the largest and most common credit in the account of the fisherman farmer, although this is not, like fish, an indispensable item in the account. Cattle, ponies, sheep, and pigs, are an important part of the Shetlander's means, and they, like the rest of his saleable produce, are generally purchased by the merchant, who buys all that leaves the country, from a whale to an egg, and sells everything that the country people want, from a boll of meal or a suit of clothes to a darning-needle. The stock goes into the account, and is settled for at the yearly settlement. There is a custom throughout the country of holding public sales twice, sometimes four times in the year 'for the benefit of the tenant' as a witness puts it' but also for the benefit of the landlords and merchants. The sales are managed by the proprietor of the estate for which they are held, or by his tacksman or factor, and the prices of all the animals sold are paid, under the conditions of sale, into his hands. He has thus, just as in purchasing the fish of his tenants, an opportunity of retaining what is due to him for rent, and of making effectual his hypothec, or rather of avoiding the necessity of enforcing it at all. No cases have been alleged or proved in which advantage has been taken by proprietors or merchants of the power given them by their position, or by the indebtedness of tenants, for the purpose of getting cattle at low prices; and, indeed, the publicity of these sales to be a sufficient safeguard against such abuses. There is a practice, formerly much more widely prevalent than it is now, of marking the horns of animals with the initials of a creditor, which is supposed to hypothecate the debtor's cattle effectually as against all but the landlord's claim for rent. The practical effects appear to have been formerly injurious; , a well-informed and reliable witness says that, twenty years ago, when a merchant bought a beast from one of his debtors, he could really fix the price himself. [Page 21 rpt.] But the practice seems now to be so rare, probably because its legal inefficacy is better understood, that it need not be more particularly referred to.

[J. Laurenson, 9873; T. Gifford, 8133; A. Sandison, 10,079.]

There is evidence as to the sales of cattle on the Sumburgh, Busta, Gossaburgh, and Ollaberry estates, and in the islands of Unst and Yell. A man who is in debt to the landlord or merchant-tacksman is expected to offer his cow or pony which is for sale to him first. If the owner is dissatisfied with the price offered, he has an opportunity of exposing it at the next half-yearly or quarterly sale, where all the money passes through the hands of the merchant or landlord, and is settled for at the end of the year, the owner getting supplies from the shop if he requires them in the meantime. Intimation is given to all the tenants of the sale; and a man who is very deeply in debt is 'so far forced to bring his cattle and sell them.'

[W. Irvine, 3772; R. Halcrow, 4673; P.M. Sandison, 5271; D. Greig, 7228; Rev. J. Sutherland, 7600; T. Gifford, 8130; J.S. Houston, 9686; J. Laurenson, 9873; G. Irvine, 13,241; J. Bruce, jun., 13,329; R. Halcrow, 4684.]

An instance of a sale of wool to a merchant-tacksman by an indebted tenant, at a lower price than might have been obtained (according to the tenant's own statement), is given by Robert Simpson:

'14,014. Was 111/2d. the current price for wool last autumn?-I cannot say. That was what we got for it from Mr. Sutherland.' '14,015. Did anybody else offer to buy it from you?-We did not offer it to anybody else, because we thought he had a better right to it, as he was paying the rent. There were several people asking me for it, but I would not sell it to them.' '14,016. How much did they offer you for the wool?-We never came to any particular agreement about the price, because I would not consent to sell it to them at all.' '14,017. Did they not say anything about what they would give you?-They spoke of 1s.; but I thought it better to sell it for 111/2d. wholesale than to sell it to them for 1s., even although I had had power to do it. Besides, I thought Mr. Robertson had the best right to it.' '14,018. Had Mr. Robertson told you that he expected to get your wool?-I cannot say that he had.' '14,019. Had Mr. Sutherland told you that?-If I could have paid my debt he would not have asked it.' '14,020. But did Mr. Sutherland tell you that he expected to get your wool?-Sometimes he would ask me if I would give him the wool, and that I would be better to give it to him than to sell it to another.' '14,021. Even at a halfpenny less?-Yes.'

This is probably a true enough picture of the transactions in regard to cattle, which in bad times are still commonly resorted to for the purpose of reducing large debts; but of which, in the late prosperous years, little has been heard.



THE EXTENT OF INDEBTEDNESS. ADVANCES ARE MADE UPON AN ENGAGEMENT TO FISH.

The evidence taken in Shetland does not confirm the statement made before this Commission in 1871, that 'the success of a merchant in Shetland consists in being able to accumulate such an amount of bad debts about him as will thirl the whole families in his neighbourhood, and then he succeeds,' etc. So far as this exaggerated statement has any truth, it may be said to mean that a merchant often avails himself of the power given him by his past advances, and by the hope of more, to secure both the fish and the shop custom of the fishermen in his neighbourhood; while fishermen so often need accommodation from the merchants, that even those who for the time are clear do not think it prudent to break off their connection with the merchant of the place from whom they have hitherto got supplies, and by whom they expect to be assisted in future bad years. But it does not mean, and probably was not intended to mean, that merchants ever deliberately sink a part of their capital in binding fishermen to them by the uqestionable bond of hopeless debt. The truth, so far as the highest class of merchants is concerned, seems to be fairly stated by Mr. Irvine, who says, with regard to the system of paying for fish by reference to the current price, that -

'Fishermen are quite safe with this arrangement. They know the competition between curers all over the islands is so keen, that they are secure to get the highest possible price that the markets can afford. Any curer that can offer a little advantage to the fishermen over the others is certain to get more boats the following year; and this is carried so far, that men with limited capital, in their endeavours to obtain a large share of the trade by giving credit and gratuities, in one way and another leave nothing to themselves, and in the end come to grief.'

[John Walker, qu. 44,319; W. Irvine, 3623, 3856 sqq.; See L. Williamson, 9092; T. Williamson, 9513.]

Undoubtedly, all the merchants are in the habit of making advances to fishermen, chiefly in the form of goods, long before the fishing season begins. In such cases there is, as a matter of course, an obligation, sometimes in writing, to fish for the ensuing year; and for the purpose of more easily getting such advances, boats' crews are often formed as early as November and December. Advances of boats and lines are invariably made upon an engagement by the men who get them to deliver their fish. [Page 22 rpt.] But many of the merchants examined as witnesses agree in stating that indebtedness does not give them a hold over their men; a statement which must, however, be limited to the case of men who are hopelessly and irredeemably sunk in debt, who see no means of escape from it, or rather no means of obtaining supplies beyond the barest subsistence, but by removing to another employment. A merchant is not always desirous to retain the services of such men, because his chance of getting the old debts repaid is small, while he cannot continue to employ them without making further advances to enable them to go on with the fishing. The statements made by merchants, that indebtedness is the great drawback to their business, that indebted men are worst to deal with, and that debt gives them no control over the men, must, I think, be referred to such extreme cases only, and are not applicable to the relations between merchants and men who, not of being already hopelessly involved, require some advances in money for rent, in the form of boat and lines, or in goods for family use, after settlement and before the fishing season begins. In all such cases the debt is incurred on the express or understood condition that the man shall deliver his fish next season, and where the advance consists of boat and lines, until it is altogether paid off. To this extent it cannot be said that the debt gives the merchant no hold over the men.

EFFECT OF DEBT IN BINDING THE MEN TO A MERCHANT ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN MERCHANTS ON WEST COAST NOT TO INTERFERE WITH EACH OTHER'S MEN

In districts where indebtedness is general, the bond formed by debt is stronger. Merchants are there obliged to save themselves by enforcing their claims against indebted men, whom others, in more fortunate districts, would gladly get rid of. The merchants have allowed their debts to become too numerous and too large, either from a wrong system in the management of their business or from a desire to 'thirl' the west side men to them. On the coast of Northmaven and of Delting, a complete monopoly of the fish trade is possessed, not by landholders or their tacksmen or factors, but by three merchants (Messrs. Adie at Olnafirth Voe, Inkster at Brae, and Anderson at Hillswick and Ollaberry), who lease curing premises and a small portion of agricultural or pasture land from the Busta trustees. Except at North Roe, where Messrs. Hay have a station, there is no other merchant, along a coast-line extending for many miles, to whom the tenant can sell his fish; and the indebted man has not the liberty, which he seems to be able to exercise in some other districts, of entering into an engagement with another merchant, with whom he begins afresh, with clear books, and the hope of keeping clear. I do not say that it is morally wrong for the merchant to endeavour to secure payment of a debt by requiring the debtor to agree to deliver to him the produce of his fishing. But it cannot be a wholesome system which has led the merchants into giving credits, which they can only recover or secure by such means, and which induces them to enter into a formal written engagement among themselves-'not to tamper with or engage each other's fishermen, or allow our boat-skippers or men to do so, or to make advances of rent to them on their cattle, sheep, or ponies, or under any circumstances whatever, unless they produce a certificate from any of us whom they last fished for to the effect that he is clear of debt.' The formal stipulation thus undertaken is only what has been very frequently, not universally, acted upon throughout the western and northern parts of Shetland; for men changing their employment often find at settlement the debts due to their late master standing against them in the books of the new master. Sometimes in coming to a new employer the men's debts are, with their consent, transferred to his books, or they get cash to discharge them.

[Wm. Adie, 8641; J. Anderson, 7775; M. Laurenson, 7354; A. Harrison, 7746; T. Gifford, 8126; J. Wood, 8371; M. Henderson, 9940; A. Sandison, 10,497; T. Tulloch, 13,001; C. Ollason, 16,019; John Robertson, sen., 14,126; L. Williamson, 9074.]

The fishermen, on the other hand, for the most part admit that, so long as they are indebted to a merchant, they must continue to fish for him. Notwithstanding the statements of the merchants before referred to (see above), the truth appears to be that most of them do so continue from honesty as much as from fear of onsequences. But, so far as the practical effects of the system are concerned, it is perhaps of small importance whether supplies are given in the belief that a man's honesty and his fear of legal execution will make him continue to work them off by his labour, or in the belief that his fear of legal consequences alone will have such an effect.

[G. Blance, 5554; C. Young, 5829; P. Blanch, 8575; C. Nicholson, 8694.]

Some merchants do not hesitate to admit that being indebted compels, or at least induces, men to fish to the creditor; and, indeed, it is so obviously and naturally an inducement to do so, that it is impossible to avoid regarding indebtedness to the merchant and the engagement to fish for him as more than a merely accidental sequence of events. Experience, however, has been teaching the more extensive merchants, and teaching them perhaps more readily because they have less difficulty than others in getting fishermen, that free or unindebted men are the most successful fishermen; and that to act on the old Shetland maxim, 'If you once get a man into debt, you have a hold over him,' is to fill their boats with inferior or at least half-hearted men, and their books with bad debts. Thus the returns show that at two important stations of a leading firm 244 men were employed in 1867, and 260 in 1871; and that of these, 72, or less than a third, owed sums averaging only 2, 7s. 9d. at the settlement of 1867; while in 1871 only 9 owed sums averaging l. In this and other cases, where debt is less, the supplies of goods also bear a less proportion to the money payments.

[L.F.U. Garriock, 12,549; T. Tulloch, 12,998; J. Harrison, 16451; Rev. D. Miller, 5596; D. Greig, 7165.]

The extent of indebtedness thus differs in the different districts. It is difficult to say whether this difference is caused by accidental circumstances, or by the degrees of firmness with which the various merchants act on the principle of restricting advances and supplies when a man is getting behind. In bad years still more after a succession of lean fishings and harvests restriction is of course universal, and all the inhabitants of an island or a parish may be getting weekly doles of meal at the merchant's shop. At Grutness store, a day is fixed for the families who are 'on allowance' to come for their meal. The proportion of men in a state of indebtedness, and the amount of their debts, will be best seen from the tables afterwards given. There are, however, many general statements on this subject which I shall briefly refer to. In considering these and the tables, it must be kept in view that, in spite of some bad fishings and harvests in late years, the people are generally in a more thriving condition than they were ten or fifteen years ago. They have shared in the general prosperity of the empire. The Rev. Mr. Miller, who says that the majority of the fishermen at Mossbank are further in debt than they can hope to pay in one year, believes that they were once worse, and that eight or ten years ago hardly a fisherman was not in debt. The Rev. J. Fraser of Sullom believes that a great number of the men are very seldom clear, and that permanent indebtedness prevails to a much larger extent than is good for the community. It must be admitted that the sums due by the men are much smaller in Shetland than the sums which, it is said, are often due by fishermen in Wick, where the boats and nets advanced to the men are comparatively expensive. In a few cases, debts of 40 have been contracted; but that seems to be a rare and indeed is considered a hopeless amount. The returns show that the average debt of chronic debtors, so far as it can be ascertained, is very much less. Mr. Anderson states it to be 12. 4s. in 1871 at Hillswick, having been 14, 2s. in 1868. The witnesses are numerous-so numerous that it is not necessary to note their names-who say that they have been in debt at settlement for many years, or that the balance is generally against them.

[T. Hutchison, 12,640; L. Robertson, 13,966; G. Irvine, 13,178; Rev. D. Miller, 5989; Rev. J. Fraser, 8019; A. Harrison, 7446; J. Anderson, 7770, 7835; A. Humphray, 12,822; J. Anderson, 7834.]

It is almost superfluous to point out the connection between the system of accounts at the shops and the general indebtedness of the peasantry; but it may be interesting to refer to the evidence of Magnus Johnston, now a small shopkeeper, and formerly skipper of a Faroe smack. He says:

'... I think it would be better for the people to have no accounts at all.' '7932. Do you mean that it would be better for their own sakes?- Yes. '7933. What would be the advantage to them?-For my own part, if I had no money, but if I had credit, I might go to a shop and take out more goods than perhaps I ought to do, without regard to whether I would be able to pay them or not; whereas if a man did not have that liberty, but went into a shop with only a few pence in his pocket, he might make it spin out better, or more to his own advantage. '7934. Do you think he might get his meal cheaper by going to another shop and paying for it in cash?-He might, or he might take better care of his money, and manage to spin it out more.' '7935. I suppose a merchant like yourself, if you were giving long credit in that way, would require little more profit on your goods?-Of course.' '7936. But you can afford to sell cheaper because you are paid in cash?-Yes; and I think it would be better for the public in general if all payments were made in cash.' [M. Johnson, 7931.]

Again, Mr. James Hay, formerly a merchant in Unst, but never concerned in fishcuring, says:

'... My own conviction is, that if a ready-money system was once in operation, and had a fair start, it would work better than the present system.' '10,528. But how are you prepared to give it a start?-I think that if the men were paid their money monthly or fortnightly, that would make them feel their independence better. Perhaps they would husband their means better; and if there were those among them who were careless about it, they would be taught a lesson when the year was done, which would serve as a warning for them in time to come. There might, however, be a difficulty in beginning such a system. I can remember, and others present will remember it too, two or three years of bad fishing, followed by a year of blight, when the man who wrought most anxiously and was honest-hearted could not meet the demands upon him. At such times, if there was no qualification or mitigation of the ready-money system, perhaps the men might get into difficulty.' '10,529. But do you not think that with that system of fortnightly payments a respectable fisherman and tenant would get credit just as easily as he gets it now?-I believe he would.' '10,530. From a greater number of persons, and on advantageous terms?-I think he would.' '10,531. Do you think there would be more places open to respectable fishermen, at which they could get credit if it was absolutely required in a bad season?-Yes.' '10,532. I suppose in a bad season now no merchant would give credit to the fishermen unless he was secure of their services for next season?-I should suppose so.' '10,533. Therefore the fishermen, as a rule, are shut up to the one shop?-Yes, it comes to that.' '10,534. Where fishermen were paid monthly or fortnightly, and you knew a man to be a respectable man, would you, as a merchant, have any hesitation in a bad season in giving him credit for the support of his family?-I would have no hesitation in doing that at all, and I have done it. ....' '10,537. But do you think you would be more likely to obtain repayment if there was an open system, and the whole country was not monopolized by one or two great firms?-I think so; because if the men were paid their money I think they would feel more independent, and they would, so to say, eke out that money in the most economical way, and thus be better off.' '10,538. Probably, also, they would not be encouraged to run so very much in debt with any merchant as they are at present?-I think they would not. If the system were altered, and cash payments introduced, I think the men would feel that they could not ask credit to such a large extent as they do now, except in cases of urgent necessity.'

[J. Hay, 10,527; See also J. Anderson, 6537, Dr. R. Cowie, 14,731.]

SETTLEMENTS AND PASS-BOOKS

The accounts between merchants and fishermen are settled in a sufficiently loose manner. In many cases no pass-book is kept. Sometimes it has been refused by the shopkeeper on account of the trouble; sometimes it is the fisherman who could not be 'fashed' with it; sometimes it has been used for a time and given up because of the customer's irregularity in bringing it. There is undoubtedly much carelessness among the men with regard to their accounts. They get what they want without much trouble. The merchant or landlord helps them through bad times; and they do not always minutely scrutinize the items charged against them. They have a considerable, and probably not misplaced, confidence in the honesty of the shopkeeper, so far as the quantities of their 'out-takes' are concerned. Some men indeed keep private notes of their out-takes, which they compare with the shop ledger when read over to them; but most trust to their memory to check their accounts, and sometimes they are in a hurry to get home, and the ceremony of reading over the account is omitted altogether. The shopkeeper of course does not insist on doing so: in some places, indeed, it is read over only if expressly asked. William Blance, who fishes to the firm of T.M. Adie, is a specimen of the more careless class of men:

'... There are somethings which you have got which are not put in here?-Yes; I have gone to the shop when I did not have my book, and I have got what I asked.' '6086. What goods you got in that way when you did not have your pass-book were all put down in Mr. Adie's book, and you remembered about them when you came to settle?-Sometimes, and sometimes not.' '6087. If you did not remember them, did you trust to the honesty of the shopkeepers?-Yes.' '6088. Is your account read over to you at settling time?-Yes, if I ask it to be done.' '6089. Do you generally ask it?-Sometimes I do not, if I am in a hurry to get home.' '6090. Then you have perfect confidence in their honesty?-I always think it would do more harm to them than to me if they were not honest ....' '6119. Do you get your meal at Voe?-Yes; most that we use comes from there.' '6120. I see it is not entered in your pass-book?-No; because the meal has generally been sent in my absence, and I carry the book about with me.' '6121. How is it sent?-I have got some of it sent from Aberdeen to Ollaberry direct.' '6122. How much of it was there of it at a time?-I don't remember ....' '6127. What did you pay for that meal?-I cannot say.' '6128. Is it settled for yet?-My account is squared up.' '6130. Do you know what you paid for it before?-I don't remember.' '6131. When was your account squared up?-Fourteen days ago.' '6132. It was not squared up in your pass-book then?- No, I had it with me; but I wanted to get home soon, and I did not ask Mr. Adie to look over the pass-book.' '6133. You saw there was a balance against you then?-Yes.' '6134. Did you not ask the price of the meal you had got?-No.' '6135. Did you not hear it mentioned?-No.'

[J. Hay, 5370; L. Mail, 690; J. Leask, 1348; G. Colvin, 1340; W. Irvine, 3668, 3778; W. Goudie, 4333; G. Goudie, 5402; P.M. Sandison, 5169; G. Blance, 5574; P. Peterson, 6790; T. Robertson, 8619; G. Garriock, 8828; J.L. Pole, 9359; J. Laurenson, 9827; G. Tulloch, 11,441; L.F.U. Garriock, 12,295; G. Irvine, 13,176, 13,267; W. Robertson, 13,791; R. Simpson, 13,990; Wm. Blance, 6085, 6119.]

The effect of the prevailing indebtedness plainly is to make the men careless about prices:

'8698. What is the price of meal at Mossbank just now?-I cannot say rightly.' '8699. When did you know last? Have you made your settlement this year?-Yes.' '8700. Don't you know what you were charged for meal then?- No.' '8701. Do you ask the price of your meal as you buy it?- Sometimes; but we must take it, whatever it is, because we have no money to purchase it with elsewhere.' '8702. Whose fault is that?-I don't know.' '8703. Is it the merchant's fault?-I cannot say that it is.' [C. Nicholson, 8698.]

THE RETURNS AND TABLES.

It was for the purpose of ascertaining the area and degree of debt, as well as the degree to which truck prevails in the various districts of Shetland, that a series of questions was sent, some time after the inquiry had been opened, to most of the fish-merchants in Shetland. The answers to these questions must have cost in the larger establishments a good deal of time and trouble, which I am bound to say was in most cases ungrudgingly bestowed. The returns for the home fishing of 1867 (Table I.) are furnished by merchants, who, according to the returns made to the Fishery Board, produced more than four-fifths of the whole cure from that fishery in that year. They show that out of 1913 fishermen in their employment, 596 were indebted at the settlement of 1866, and 1832 at that of 1867, showing an average debt of 6, 11s. per man in 1866, and 6, 13s. 8d. per man in 1867. In the same year the total sum due to their fishermen by the eighteen curers making returns was 19,362, 17s. 23/4d., and the total amount received by the men from the curers was 21,456, 5s. 10d., which resulted, according to the 10th column, in an increase of the debt by 1,631, 9s. 8d. The goods supplied in account by these curers to fishermen in 1867 amounted to 10,860, 1s. 41/2d., rather more than a fourth being charged to the crews for fishing expenses. Thus rather more than one half of the total payments were made in goods.

The returns for 1871 (Table II.) were made by the same merchants, with the exception of two who had not settled for that year, and represent, according to the Fishery Board returns, nearly three fourths of the total cure of the year. Out of 1615 fishermen, 644 were indebted in a total amount of 5,026, 19s. 13/4d., or an average sum per man of 7, 13s. 33/4d. at the settlement of 1870; and 614 were indebted in a total amount of 4,437, 1s. 21/2d., or an average sum per man of 7, 4s. 61/4d. at the settlement of 1871. The total amount due to their fishermen by these fifteen curers was 20,759, 17s, 33/4d., and the total amount which the men got from them was 20,579, 14s. 13/4d. The debt was reduced by 589, 18s. 111/4d. The goods supplied in account were 8,927, 2s. 10d., 2,574, 12s. 51/2d. being for fishing expenses. Thus, in this prosperous year, considerably less than a half of the whole earnings of the fishermen were received in goods. In 1867 about three fourths, in 1871 about a half, of the cash paid was paid before settlement.

Table III., for the Faroe fishing of 1867, applies to 509 men out of 699 who were engaged in that fishery in smacks belonging to Shetland curers. The average debt of 219 debtors in 1866 was 4, 13s. 2d., and of 125 debtors in 1867, 4, 11s. 31/2d. The total amount credited to the men was 6,764, 16s. 6d., and 6,723, 18s. 31/2d. was paid to them, of which 3,120, 14s. 9d., or less than half, was paid in goods.

In 1871 (Table IV.) the returns apply to 605 men out of 816 engaged in Shetland smacks in that year. Of these, 53 debtors in 1870 owed on the average 3, 8s. 93/4d each, and in 1871, 240 debtors owed 4, 6s. 91/4d. each. They had got altogether 8,177, 2s. 1d., or about 770 more than was due to them; and of that sum, 4, 146, 16s. 2d., or one half, was paid in truck.

Tables V. and VI. are Tables I. and II. in a different form, showing more clearly the total debits and credits of the men. They also show how accurately, upon the whole, the returns have been made up. Certain discrepancies are shown by the figures in the column entitled 'Amount indebted in excess of statement.' These may be accounted for in various ways;-where the discrepancy is small, by trivial errors in making the returns; where it is greater, by the omission from the returns of transactions of a less usual character, sales of cloth, which were not supposed to be within the questions asked; and in the two cases where the difference is largest, it may be conjectured that the large amount of debt may have been reduced by drafts upon secret bank accounts or hoards, on sons at sea, or on the earnings of the female members of the debtors' families.

These Tables show that from one third to one half of the fishermen are in debt to the curers each year at the time of settlement, after their fishing has been credited to them. It is not less true, as shown by the evidence, that during the rest of the year nearly the whole of them are in debt to the curers, because the goods and advances are debited to them as they get them, while the credit for fish only comes at the end of the year.

TABLE I.—HOME FISHING—SEASON 1867. [Page 25]

1. No. of Fishermen employed

2. Amount of Goods debited to Fishermen

3. Cash advanced before Settlement

5. Gross Sum credited to Men for Fish

6. Gross Sum credited to them for Stock, etc.

7. Cash due to Fishermen at Settlement

8. Cash paid to them at Settlement.

9.1. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1866

9.2. Total Debts.

10.1 No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1866

10.2. Total Debts.

1 2 2 2 3 3 3 A 191 1114 17 11 625 1 0 *B 79 576 18 9 79 19 11 C 48 349 18 81/4 118 12 31/2 D 46 164 8 2 54 10 7 *E 244 765 10 1 280 13 6 *F, 180 1006 5 1 537 6 5 G, 23 95 0 0 35 18 0 *H, 95 248 2 1 153 11 8 J, 52 428 14 111/2 120 0 91/2 K, 28 124 15 10 15 0 0 *L, 30 76 16 51/4 0 0 0 *M, 122 881 0 31/2 190 5 6 *N 189 480 7 11 617 1 5 O, 58 288 12 9 172 3 4 *P, 209 788 16 21/2 946 9 1 Q, 31 149 5 91/2 79 15 6 R, 70 354 5 1 128 18 9 S, 122 160 0 8 221 2 5 T, 96 563 8 7 153 6 7 1913 8617 5 31/2 4529 16 9

4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 A 367 1 5 2594 2 81/2 738 6 101/2 *B 88 10 9 769 18 01/2 31 0 93/4 C 51 15 0 338 14 1/4 92 4 9 D 69 16 9 292 8 1 43 4 4 *e 465 10 0 2233 10 10 0 0 0 *F, 126 0 0 863 10 10 213 13 0 G, 0 0 0 208 10 2 0 0 0 *H, 39 8 10 866 0 2 304 14 0 J, 162 13 3 415 8 101/2 114 12 81/2 K, 19 0 0 286 6 0 0 0 0 *L, 45 0 0 164 1 8 0 0 0 *M, 292 3 6 878 17 1 366 11 61/2 *N 331 1 4 1763 12 61/2 100 13 10 O, 0 0 0 650 4 1 0 0 0 *P, 0 0 0 2063 18 01/2 284 0 01/2 Q, 12 9 7 174 5 11 50 4 91/2 R, 55 14 6 520 7 0 32 7 10 S, 56 13 5 1054 6 111/2 0 0 0 T, 59 17 9 861 11 8 91 8 0 2242 16 1 16,999 14 81/4 2463 2 61/4

7 7 7 8 8 8 9.1 A 1077 1 11 1444 7 1 114 *B 163 5 03/4 248 7 31/4 31 C 32 4 21/2 30 10 21/2 17 D 85 3 31/2 85 3 31/2 11 *e 834 6 3 834 6 3 25 *F, 0 0 0 0 0 0 118 G, 106 17 0 106 17 0 6 *H, 342 7 1 342 7 1 27 J, 34 11 41/2 28 10 0 29 K, 133 9 91/2 159 17 10 6 *L, 87 5 23/4 87 5 23/4 6 *M, 265 18 01/2 294 17 11/2 67 *N 484 4 11/2 479 8 1 22 O, 216 14 81/2 216 14 81/2 22 *P, 693 0 5 693 0 5 15 Q, 21 17 9 21 17 9 6 R, 125 3 8 125 3 8 32 S, 616 5 61/2 616 5 61/2 7 T, 256 9 2 251 9 2 35 5576 4 71/2 6066 7 81/2 596

9.2 9.2 9.2 10.1 10.2 10.2 10.2 A 1160 8 8 143 1379 5 7 *B 101 9 1/4 50 294 8 93/4 C 27 17 41/2 35 150 17 101/2 D 29 1 0 18 67 7 41/2 *e 59 11 9 72 172 1 9 *F, 783 0 0 141 948 18 3 G, 45 19 4 9 87 19 7 *H, 159 2 2 21 137 11 11 J, 220 11 7 38 401 12 31/2 K, 13 0 41/2 8 26 8 01/2 *L, 25 7 51/4 7 26 14 63/4 *M, 538 3 31/2 76 737 0 7 *N 74 18 0 27 122 15 81/2 O, 195 11 11 19 197 16 7 *P, 70 7 8 41 150 16 31/2 Q, 9 16 4 16 48 14 31/2 R, 101 17 5 50 213 4 7 S, 20 16 5 9 24 10 2 T, 292 2 7 52 372 7 9 3929 2 4 832 5560 12 0

*See Note (*) on table II., Home Fishing, 1871. This includes the Herring fishing. Includes $540, 9s. of Rents paid. Included in No. 2. Although a few would have cash to get, yet the supplies to the whole exceeded their earnings by about 536, 7s. 8d.

TABLE II.—HOME FISHING—SEASON 1871. [Page 26]

1. No. of Fishermen employed

2. Amount of Goods debited to Fishermen.

3. Cash advanced before Settlement.

4. Fishing Expenses charged to the Men.

5. Gross Sum credited to them for Fish.

6. Gross Sum credited to them for Stock, etc.

7. Cash due to them at Settlement.

8. Cash paid to them at Settlement

9.1 No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1870

9.2 Total Debts

10.1. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1871

10.2. Total Debts

1 2 2 2 3 3 3 A 182 911 19 5 809 16 8 *B 79 406 8 1/4 137 15 41/2 *C 46 308 16 1 103 19 61/2 D 100 411 15 8 249 18 0 *E 260 634 0 6 251 0 4 *F, 144 735 2 2 640 3 1 G, 23 60 0 0 40 17 0 *H, 103 260 12 4 182 16 1 J, 60 279 11 61/2 110 17 101/2 K, 12 65 11 111/2 23 0 0 Q 142 479 17 4 371 11 5 *M, 147 1136 17 61/2 276 8 0 O, 36 108 6 5 55 0 6 *N 185 345 6 91/2 560 11 01/2 S 66 107 14 8 110 14 11/2 *L 30 100 9 11 1615 6352 10 41/4 3924 9 01/2

*U, 150 1125 3 1 658 5 21/2 *T, 126 1042 10 11 356 2 6 *P, 281 788 1 21/2 1048 19 111/2 2202 9308 5 63/4 5987 16 81/2

4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 A 274 10 1 3101 14 3 859 6 2 *B 73 18 0 1090 6 1 14 10 91/2 *C 49 10 6 578 0 21/2 115 2 83/4 D 178 9 21/2 999 3 9 33 3 61/2 *E 540 10 11 3436 16 7 *F, 99 0 0 1330 1 7 335 12 0 G, 310 4 0 *H, 163 18 9 1151 11 4 197 3 11 J, 161 14 111/2 623 4 8 60 8 6 K, 6 0 0 102 19 6 Q 123 8 5 1124 10 5 35 11 6 *M, 459 12 31/2 1800 7 21/2 385 19 11/2 O, 337 15 3 *N 324 17 41/2 1780 3 4 79 9 11 S 73 1 111/2 625 6 3 *L 46 0 0 251 4 81/2 2574 12 51/2 18,643 9 11/2 2116 8 21/4

*U, 50 4 8 1651 11 11/2 417 16 6 *T, 67 4 0 1880 10 11 183 6 5 *P, 2729 8 71/2 412 1 21/2 2692 1 11/2 24,904 19 91/2 3129 12 33/4

7 7 7 8 8 8 9.1 A 1555 13 6 1842 8 4 105 *B 463 1 11/2 519 16 61/2 27 *C 160 9 31/2 176 0 8 30 D 252 16 6 252 16 6 34 *E 1983 8 2 1983 8 2 17 *F, 235 8 4 235 8 4 136 G, 174 8 8 174 8 8 10 *H, 376 14 8 376 14 8 25 J, 90 5 6 74 5 21/2 44 K, 15 16 11/2 5 Q 299 9 10 299 9 10 46 *M, 890 7 51/2 501 16 41/2 82 O, 219 13 7 219 13 7 13 *N 586 13 111/2 571 9 111/2 31 S 333 15 41/2 333 15 41/2 32 *L 150 14 91/4 150 14 91/4 7 7773 0 83/4 7728 3 11/4 644

*U, 276 6 4 245 6 4 *T, 710 16 8 874 16 6 82 *P, 1305 10 71/2 1305 10 71/2 48 10,065 14 41/4 10,153 16 63/4 774



9.2 9.2 9.2 10.1 10.2 10.2 10.2 A 961 16 2 133 839 10 0 *B 120 1 23/4 35 164 15 9 *C 141 19 01/4 22 94 16 93/4 D 92 12 101/2 48 153 4 111/2 *E 36 17 2 9 9 0 6 *F, 1433 12 11 99 1215 4 4 G, 56 13 0 5 23 10 0 *H, 244 0 1 25 232 18 8 J, 524 3 101/2 37 452 9 11 K, 18 1 7 6 19 10 2 Q 146 4 11 68 260 10 0 *M, 858 7 51/2 65 657 17 21/2 O, 163 15 10 11 140 6 0 *N 125 9 3 23 88 3 2 S 52 11 101/2 21 48 6 11/2 *L 50 11 103/4 7 36 17 71/4 5026 19 13/4 614 4437 1 21/2

*U, 561 16 4 606 18 11/2 *T, 433 18 9 68 710 5 10 *P, 274 0 10 44 275 2 91/2 6296 15 03/4 726 6037 7 111/2



*In the Returns made by those marked (*), rents payable by men to them are included in the cash payments, except those of H. The Returns by U, T., and P are for the year 1870. This in included in No. 2.

NOTES BY P. TO HIS ANSWERS 1870.

—281. This includes 84 men engaged by me for the herring fishing, which on only begins on the 12th August. These men fish to other curers at the ling-fishing during the summer, and only] come to me for the herring fishing. They get no goods from me, nor cash advances, but receive the gross value of their fish in one payment when the fishing is over. .—788, 1s. 21/2d. This represents the gross amount of the store accounts charged, and includes (the answer to question No. 4) all fishing expenses, and in some cases may included small advances in cash. .—1048, 19s. 111/2d. This answer includes rent paid for the men, and should be— Cash advanced ....... 481 11 7 Rents paid, ............. 567 8 41/2 1048 19 111/2 —2729, 8s. 71/2d. This sum includes 432 due for herrings to the 84 men mentioned in note on answer No. 1. —412, 1s. 21/2d. This includes the sum of 21, 5s. 61/2d. received from fishermen at settlement. —All sums to the fishermen were at settlement. .—This includes 432 paid to the 84 men mentioned in note on answer No. 1 for herrings.



TABLE III.—FAROE FISHING—SEASON 1867. [Page 27]

1. No. of Fishermen employed

2. Amount of Goods debited to Fishermen.

3. Cash advanced before Settlement.

4. Fishing Expenses charged to the Men.

5. Gross Sum credited to Men for Fish.

6. Gross Sum credited to them for Stock, etc.

7. Cash due to Fishermen at Settlement.

8. Cash paid to them at Settlement.

9.1. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1866.

9.2. Total Debts

10.1. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1867.

10.2. Total Debts 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 A, 47 234 15 5.5 141 6 0 B, 71 323 3 6.5 221 9 61/2 C, 41 221 11 0 196 18 11 D, 91 839 15 9.5 451 13 9 E, 11 20 10 9.5 13 15 0 F, 148 481 18 1.5 432 6 12 G, 31 122 0 3 80 8 2 H, 69 362 3 4 229 19 2 509 2605 18 31/2 1767 17 6 J 28 163 10 11 51 7 2

4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 A, 46 17 9 656 5 9 0 0 0 B, 32 16 6.5 901 14 91/2 0 0 0 C, 42 5 7 457 16 0 98 11 8 D, 0 0 0* 1696 1 1 0 0 0 E, 16 12 7 98 5 91/2 2 18 9 F, 331 14 6 1667 8 4 44 12 7 G, 14 13 6 312 5 11 0 0 0 H, 29 16 0 828 15 10 0 0 0 514 16 51/2 6618 13 6 146 3 0 J 14 14 11 171 0 0 42 6 9



7 7 7 8 8 8 9.1 A, 183 15 01/2 183 15 01/2 20 B, 294 11 11/2 294 11 11/2 31 C, 88 7 6 89 7 6 17 D, 478 4 11 478 4 11 55 E, 50 19 21/2 50 19 21/2 1 F, 443 11 9 373 9 01/2 34 G, 99 8 31/2 99 8 31/2 3 H, 265 10 11 265 10 11 58 1904 8 9 1835 6 01/2 219 J 0 19 1 0 19 1 25

9.2 9.2 9.2 10.1 10.2 10.2 10.2 A, 81 5 81/2 8 31 14 2 B, 164 1 101/2 23 134 7 10 C, 60 12 11 15 54 8 3 D, 307 0 4 22 141 16 01/2 E, 0 16 2 1 1 9 6 F, 164 0 2 26 133 13 91/2 G, 10 7 7 9 14 6 10 H, 232 1 4 21 58 13 7 1020 6 1 125 570 10 0 J 86 5 5 28 137 7 41/2

*Under this head no fishing expenses were charged against the men's accounts. The only fishing expenses were bait, and curing of fish, which were deducted from the gross amount before division, as agreed upon. This Return in for 1866. In 1866 there was a remarkably 'lean' Fishing.

TABLE IV.—FAROE FISHING—SEASON 1871. [Page 28]

1. No. of Fishermen employed 2. Amount of Goods debited to Fishermen. 3. Cash advanced before Settlement. 4. Fishing Expenses charged to the Men. 5. Gross Sum credited to Men for Fish. 6. Gross Sum credited to them for Stock, etc. 7. Cash paid to them at Settlement. 8. Cash paid to them at Settlement. 9.1. Total Debts 9.2. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1870. 10.1. Total Debts 10.2. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1871.

1 2 2 2 3 3 3 F, 139 563 5 6 618 6 11 A, 51 205 0 81/2 123 12 6 C, 57 358 2 2 284 11 2 D, 85 774 13 2 467 1 9 H, 125 775 14 11 216 5 1 J, 13 85 10 3 24 19 6 E, 23 104 18 91/2 94 14 10 G, 47 266 18 1 111 17 10 B, 65 249 19 3 203 18 21/2 605 3384 2 10 2145 7 91/2

4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 F, 556 0 4 2093 2 9 32 6 0 A, 26 4 31/2 331 5 1 0 0 0 C, 51 3 6 150 4 6 647 0 2 D, 0 0 0 1810 12 7 0 0 0 H, 45 19 1 942 0 0 0 0 0 J, 9 12 0 39 17 1 4 9 71/2 E, 14 2 1 204 6 31/4 33 0 3 G, 28 18 10 545 10 3 0 0 0 B, 30 13 21/2 572 6 4 ... ... ... 762 13 4 6689 4 101/4 716 16 1/2

7 7 7 8 8 8 9.1 F, 473 16 2 375 12 3 21 A, 69 19 6 69 19 6 2 C, 168 14 21/2 172 10 61/2 13 D, 589 9 10 589 9 10 7 H, 253 1 2 253 1 2 4 J, 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 E, 49 1 10 48 17 111/2 2 G, 166 19 41/2 165 5 9 0 B, 210 1 11/2 210 1 11/2 1 1981 3 21/2 1984 18 11/2 53

9.2 9.2 9.2 10.1 10.2 10.2 10.2 F, 83 1 11 31 174 19 9* A, 0 11 6 26 94 3 51/2 C, 59 2 7 28 128 5 3 D, 19 2 91/2 19 35 0 10 H, 10 4 0 65 349 0 3 J, 1 19 0 13 72 0 61/2 E, 5 5 111/2 10 33 11 53/4 G, 0 0 0 14 29 3 111/2 B, 2 18 6 34 125 3 111/2 182 6 3 240 1041 9 53/4

* Of this sum, 174, 19s, 9d., there was due by 13 men, the crew of one unsuccessful vessel, 105, 14s. 4d. The fishery of 1871 was comparatively a failure, and left many of the men in debt; while the previous year was very good, and the men were nearly all clear. Excluding the crew of one smack, the crew of which had not been settled with.

TABLE V.—HOME FISHING—SEASON 1867. [Page 29]

No. of Fishermen in Debt at Settlement of 1866, and Amount of Debts. 1.1. No. 1.2. Amount. 2. Fishing Expenses Charged to the Men. 3. Goods charged to the Men.

CASH. 4.1. Advanced to the Men before Settlement 4.2. Paid to them at Settlement.

5. Total Debits to Fishermen.

Gross Sums credited to the Men. 6.1. For Fish. 6.2. For Stock.

7. Total Credits to Fishermen.

No. of Fishermen in Debt at Settlement of 1867, and Amount Indebted. 8.1. No. 8.2. Amount. 8.3. Amount as per Statement. 8.4. Amount indebted in excess of Statement

9. No. of men engaged during the Year.

1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 2 2 2 A, 114 1160 8 8 367 1 5 B, 31 101 9 01/4 88 10 9 C, 17 27 17 4.5 51 15 0 D, 11 29 1 0 69 16 9 E, 25 59 11 9 465 10 0 F, 118 783 0 0 126 0 0 G, 6 45 19 4 H, 27 159 2 2 39 8 10 I, 29 220 11 7 162 13 3 K, 6 13 0 41/2 19 0 0 L, 6 25 7 51/4 45 0 0 M, 67 538 3 31/2 292 3 6 N, 22 74 18 0 331 1 4 O, 22 195 11 11 P, 15 70 7 8 Q, 6 9 16 4 12 9 7 R, 32 101 17 5 55 14 6 S, 7 20 16 5 56 13 5 T, 35 292 2 7 59 17 9 596 3939 2 4 2242 16 1

3 3 3 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.2 A, 1114 17 11 625 1 0 1444 7 1 B, 576 18 9 79 19 11 248 7 31/4 C, 339 18 81/4 118 12 31/2 30 10 21/2 D, 164 8 2 54 10 7 85 3 31/2 E, 765 10 1 280 13 6 834 6 3 F, 1006 5 1 537 6 5 G, 95 0 0 35 18 8 106 17 0 H, 248 2 1 153 11 8 342 7 1 I, 428 14 111/2 120 0 91/2 28 10 0 K, 124 15 10 15 0 0 159 17 10 L, 76 16 51/4 87 5 23/4 M, 881 0 31/2 190 5 6 294 17 11/2 N, 480 7 11 617 1 5 479 8 1 O, 288 12 9 172 3 4 216 14 81/2 P, 788 16 21/2 946 9 1 693 0 5 Q, 149 5 91/2 79 15 6 21 17 9 R, 354 5 1 128 18 9 125 3 8 S, 160 0 8 221 2 5 616 5 61/2 T, 563 8 7 153 6 7 351 9 2 8617 5 31/2 4529 16 9 6066 7 81/2

5 5 5 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.2 6.2 A, 4711 16 1 2594 2 81/2 738 6 101/2 B, 1095 5 81/2 769 18 01/2 31 0 93/4 C, 578 13 63/4 338 14 01/4 92 4 9 D, 402 19 91/2 292 8 1 43 4 4 E, 2405 11 7 2233 10 10 F, 2452 11 6 863 10 10 213 13 0 G, 283 14 4 208 10 2 H, 942 11 10 866 0 2 304 14 0 I, 960 10 7 415 8 101/2 114 12 81/2 K, 331 14 01/2 286 6 0 L, 234 9 11/4 164 1 8 M, 2196 9 81/2 878 17 1 366 11 61/2 N, 1982 16 9 1763 12 61/2 100 13 10 O, 873 2 81/2 650 4 1 P, 2498 13 41/2 2063 18 01/2 284 0 01/2 Q, 273 4 111/2 174 5 11 50 4 91/2 R, 765 19 5 520 7 0 32 7 10 S, 1074 18 51/2 1054 6 111/2 T, 1320 4 8 861 11 8 91 8 0 25385 8 2 16999 14 81/4 2463 2 61/4

7 7 7 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.2 A, 3332 9 7 143 1379 6 6 B, 800 18 101/4 50 294 6 101/4 C, 430 18 91/4 35 147 14 91/2 D, 335 12 5 18 67 7 41/2 E, 2233 10 10 72 172 0 0 F, 1077 3 10 141 1375 7 8 G, 208 10 2 9 75 4 2 H, 1170 14 2 21 I, 530 1 7 38 430 9 0 K, 286 6 0 8 45 8 01/2 L, 164 1 8 7 70 7 51/4 M, 1245 8 71/2 76 951 1 1 N, 1864 6 41/2 27 118 10 41/2 O, 650 4 1 19 222 18 71/2 P, 2347 18 1 41 150 15 31/2 Q, 224 10 81/2 16 48 14 3 R, 552 14 10 50 213 4 7 S, 1054 6 111/2 9 20 11 6 T, 952 19 8 52 367 5 0 19462 18 21/2 832 5922 10 111/2

8.3 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.4 8.4 9 A, 1379 5 7 0 0 11 191 B, 294 8 93/4 79 C, 150 17 101/2 48 D, 67 7 41/2 46 E, 172 1 9 244 F, 948 18 3 426 9 5 180 G, 87 19 7 23 H, 137 11 11 95 I, 401 12 31/2 28 16 81/2 52 K, 26 8 01/2 19 0 0 28 L, 26 14 63/4 43 12 101/2 30 M, 737 0 7 214 0 6 122 N, 122 15 81/2 189 O, 197 16 7 25 2 01/2 58 P, 150 16 31/2 209 Q, 48 14 31/2 31 R, 213 4 7 70 S, 24 10 2 122 T, 372 7 9 96 5560 12 0 361 18 111/2 1913

*Where the amount is less than the Statement, the figures are noted in italics, and effect is given to these sums in the addition.

TABLE VI.—HOME FISHING—SEASON 1871. [Page 30]

No. of Fishermen in Debt at Settlement of 1870, and Amount of Debts. 1.1. No. 1.2. Amount.

2. Fishing Expenses Charged to the Men.

3. Goods charged to the Men.

CASH. 4.1. Advanced to the Men before Settlement. 4.2. Paid to them at Settlement.

5. Total Debits to Fishermen.

Gross Sums credited to the Men. 6.1. For Fish. 6.2. For Stock.

7. Total Credits to Fishermen.

No. of Fishermen in Debt at Settlement of 1871, and Amount Indebted. 8.1. No. 8.2. Amount to Balance. 8.3. Amount as per Statement. 8.4. Amount indebted in excess of Statement

9. No. of men engaged during the Year.

1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 2 2 2 A, 105 961 16 2 274 10 1 B, 27 120 1 23/4 73 18 0 C, 30 141 19 01/4 49 10 6 D, 34 92 12 101/2 178 9 21/2 E, 17 36 17 2 540 10 11 F, 136 1433 12 11 99 0 0 G, 10 56 13 0 H, 25 244 0 1 163 18 9 I, 44 524 3 101/2 161 14 12 K, 5 18 1 7 6 0 0 R, 46 146 4 11 123 8 5 M, 82 858 7 51/2 459 12 31/2 O, 13 163 15 10 N, 31 125 9 3 324 17 41/2 S, 32 52 11 101/2 73 1 12 L, 7 50 11 103/4 46 0 0 644 5026 19 13/4 2574 12 51/2

U, 561 16 4 50 4 8 T, 82 433 18 9 67 4 0 P, 48 274 0 10 774 6296 15 03/4 2692 1 11/2

3 3 3 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.2 A, 911 19 5 809 16 8 1842 8 4 B, 406 8 01/4 137 15 41/2 519 16 61/2 C, 308 16 1 103 19 61/2 176 0 8 D, 411 15 8 249 18 0 252 16 6 E, 634 0 6 251 0 4 1983 8 2 F, 735 2 2 640 3 1 235 8 4 G, 60 0 0 40 17 0 174 8 8 H, 260 12 4 182 16 1 376 14 8 I, 279 11 61/2 110 17 101/2 74 5 21/2 K, 65 11 111/2 23 0 0 15 16 11/2 R, 479 17 4 371 11 5 299 9 10 M, 1136 17 61/2 276 8 0 501 16 41/2 O, 108 6 5 55 0 6 219 13 7 N, 345 6 91/2 560 11 01/2 571 9 111/2 S, 107 14 8 110 14 11/2 333 15 41/2 L, 100 9 11 150 14 91/4 6352 10 41/4 3924 9 01/2 7728 3 11/4

U, 1125 3 1 658 5 21/2 245 6 4 T, 1042 10 11 356 2 6 874 16 6 P, 788 1 21/2 1048 19 111/2 1305 10 71/2 9308 5 63/4 5987 16 81/2 10153 16 63/4

5 5 5 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.2 6.2 A, 4800 10 8 3101 14 3 859 6 2 B, 1257 19 2 1090 6 1 14 10 91/2 C, 780 5 93/4 578 0 21/2 115 2 83/4 D, 1185 12 3 999 3 9 33 3 61/2 E, 3445 17 1 3436 16 7 F, 3143 6 6 1330 1 7 335 12 0 G, 331 18 8 310 4 0 H, 1228 1 11 1151 11 4 197 3 11 I, 1150 13 51/2 623 4 8 60 8 6 K, 128 9 8 102 19 6 R, 1420 11 11 1124 10 5 35 11 6 M, 3233 1 8 1800 7 21/2 385 19 11/2 O, 546 16 4 337 15 3 N, 1927 14 5 1780 3 4 79 9 11 S, 677 18 0 625 6 3 L, 347 16 7 251 4 81/2 25606 14 13/4 18643 9 11/2 2116 8 21/4

U, 2640 15 71/2 1651 11 11/2 417 16 6 T, 2774 12 8 1880 10 11 183 6 5 P, 3416 12 71/2 2729 8 71/2 412 1 21/2 34438 15 01/4 24904 19 91/2 3129 12 33/4

7 7 7 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.2 A, 3961 0 5 133 839 10 3 B, 1104 16 101/2 35 153 2 4 C, 693 2 111/4 22 87 2 101/2 D, 1032 7 31/2 48 153 4 111/2 E, 3436 16 7 9 9 0 6 F, 1665 13 7 99 1477 12 11 G, 310 4 0 5 21 14 8 H, 1348 15 3 25 I, 683 13 2 37 467 0 31/2 K, 102 19 6 6 25 10 2 R, 1160 1 11 68 260 10 0 M, 2186 6 4 65 1046 15 4 O, 337 15 3 11 209 1 1 N, 1859 13 3 23 68 1 2 S, 625 6 3 21 52 11 9 L, 251 4 81/2 17 96 11 101/2 20759 17 33/4 624 4846 16 91/2

U, 2069 7 71/2 571 8 0 T, 2063 17 4 68 710 15 4 P, 3141 9 10 44 275 2 91/2 28034 12 11/4 736 6404 2 11

8.3 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.4 8.4 9 A, 839 10 0 0 0 3 217 B, 164 15 9 79 C, 94 16 93/4 46 D, 153 4 111/2 100 E, 9 0 6 260 F, 1215 4 4 262 8 7 144 G, 23 10 0 23 H, 232 18 8 103 I, 452 9 11 14 10 41/2 60 K, 19 10 2 6 0 0 12 R, 260 10 0 142 M, 657 17 21/2 388 18 11/2 147 O, 140 6 0 68 15 1 36 N, 88 3 2 185 S, 48 6 11/2 4 5 71/2 66 L, 36 17 71/4 59 14 31/4 30 4437 1 21/2 409 15 7 1650

U, 606 18 11/2 150 T, 710 5 10 0 9 6 126 P, 275 2 91/2 281 6029 7 111/2 374 14 111/2 2207

*Where the amount is less than the Statement, the figures are noted in italics, and effect is given to these sums in the addition.

[Page 31] PRICES AT THE SHOPS OF FISH-CURERS.

Of an inquiry regarding the existence and effects of Truck, the quality and prices of the goods furnished by the employer in lieu of money forms a necessary part. In Lerwick, as might be expected, competition, and the greater facility of communication with other places, have kept the prices of the necessaries of life at a moderate figure.

No complaints were made as to prices there, and it was thought unnecessary to make a minute investigation. Evidence was taken, however, for the purpose of comparing the prices of meal and flour as sold in Lerwick with those charged at the fish-curers' shops in the country districts. It is a fact of some significance, that few persons above the condition of peasants purchase supplies for family use from the shops in Shetland. Provisions and groceries, as well as clothing are to a large extent imported by private individuals from Aberdeen, Leith, and Edinburgh. The Rev. Mr. Sutherland says that he gets his goods twice a year from the south, and does not deal with any local shop, unless he happens to be out of a particular article; and that, so far as he knows, it is common for clergymen and others in the same position to get their supplies from the south:

'7570. Why is that done?-I cannot afford to buy articles here; they are too dear for me. My stipend would not afford to pay for them.' '7571. Do you know if the same reason operates in the case of your fellow clergymen?-I don't know; but they have often spoken about it. In the first place, I hold the goods to be, as might be expected, inferior in quality to the goods I would like. I don't blame the merchants for not having goods of better quality, because their customers perhaps would not be in the way of buying them; but I could not afford to buy from the merchants here, in consequence of the tremendous percentage which they charge upon their goods.'

[C. Robertson, 15,017; J. Robertson, sen., 14,072.]

Statements to the same effect are made by the Rev. D. Miller, United Presbyterian minister at Mossbank, and the Rev. W. Smith, minister of Unst. [6001; 10,714.]

Many witnesses complained that prices are higher at the 'shops' than at Lerwick. Thus the leading witness from Dunrossness said that oatmeal at Mr. Bruce's shop at Grutness was 4s. a boll (140 lbs.), or 8s. per sack or quarter, above its price in Lerwick. [L. Mail, 568.]

GRUTNESS

The prices charged here are much too high; and this arises not merely from the want of the check of competition, as regards the men thirled to the shop by want of money to deal elsewhere, but also from the very peculiar way in which the prices are fixed. This may possibly be explained by the fact that neither Mr. Bruce nor his shopkeeper have been properly trained to the business of the shop, which has been taken up as an appendage of the fish trade. Gilbert Irvine, the shopkeeper, was unable to give any very clear explanation of the way in which the price of meal at Grutness is fixed, and why the men never knew the price of it until the settlement. [G. Irvine, 13,173.] But Mr. Bruce says:

'13,306. In what way do you fix the average price of meal for the year?—We take what other people are charging in Lerwick and elsewhere; and after considering the quality of the meal, and our extra expense upon it, we charge what we think it can reasonably bring, without any regard to the cost price of it.' '13,307. Do you not take the cost price into consideration at all?- Of course it is an element, but not the principal element, in fixing the price.'

This loose method of proceeding may account for the complaints of the price made by all the men, who were quite satisfied with the quality. No man deals at the store at Grutness who can possibly get money to buy his goods elsewhere, and Mr. Bruce himself speaks of the shop as a necessity for the fishing, and not a source of profit in itself. The price of meal was ascertained by William Goudie to be at least 3s. per boll above, the price elsewhere. There is also at Grutness an ambiguity about weight -pecks being sold by 'lispund weight,' 4 to 32 lbs., instead of boll weight, 4 to 35 lbs. = quarter boll. The price of oatmeal for the whole of 1870 was 22s. at Grutness, which was the highest price it attained in Lerwick for a very short time after the breaking out of the French war. During by far the greater part of the year, it varied at Lerwick from 17s. 3d. to 19s. It is instructive to compare the price at Grutness with a note of the prices charged by Mr. Gavin Henderson at Scousbrough, three miles distant, where no fishermen are bound to the shopkeeper or engaged by him. This note (p. 319 of Evidence) brings out an average of 18s. 3d. per boll on all Mr. Henderson's sales for that year. Comparison of Mr. Henderson's note of prices for that year with Mr. Charles Robertson's (p. 378), shows that a merchant carrying on business twenty miles from Lerwick can sell his meal as cheaply as merchants there are in the practice of doing. Mr. Bruce's own invoices show that his meal for the season 1870 was purchased at an average price of 16s. 8d. per boll, and that out of the whole supply of 171 bolls, all but 25 bolls was bought at 16s. 3d. and under. The freight from Aberdeen to Grutness he states to be 1s. 5d. per boll. Thus 16s. 8d. +1s. 5d. = 18s. 1d., leaving 3s. 11d. for profit and risk, or about 22 per cent. But Mr. Bruce explains that, as his shop is not conducted on purely commercial principles, but as an auxiliary to the fishing, this is all required to cover expenses of management. It is nevertheless very expensive for the retail purchasers. 2 lb. lines at Grutness are sold for 2s. 2d.; at Mr. Henderson's, for 2s. Tea, of which Shetlanders consume a large quantity, and of which they are said to be good judges, is said by one witness to be from 4d. to 8d. dearer per lb. at Boddam, where there is a shop of Mr. Bruce's, than at Lerwick or Gavin Henderson's, a shop in the neighbourhood; cotton to be 2d. a yard dearer, and tobacco 1d. or 2d. a quarter lb. The evidence of Mr. Charles Fleming shows that some cotton stuffs, pieces of which were obtained at the shop at Grutness, and which were said by Mr. Irvine to be sold at 41/2d., 8d., and 1s. a yard respectively, were worth in retail very much less than these prices.