It would appear, then, that the total receipts of the contractors for the scavenging of London amount to very nearly 30,000l.; that is to say, 10,000l. as remuneration for the office, and 20,000l. as the value of the dirt collected. But against this sum as received, we have to set the gross expense of wages paid to men, wear and tear of carts and appliances, rent of wharfs, interest for money, &c.
Concerning the amount paid in wages, it appears by the table at pp. [186, 187], that the men employed by the scavenging contractors in wet weather, are 260 daily (being nearly half of the whole force of 531 men, the orderlies excepted). In dry weather, however, there are only 194 men employed. I will therefore calculate upon 194 men employed daily, and 66 employed half the year, making the total of 260. By the table here given, it will be seen that the total number of scavengers employed by the large and small contractors, is 275.
| Number of Men. | Weekly Wage. | Yearly. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 194 (for 12 months) | 16s.[17] | £8070 | 8s. |
| 66 (for 6 months) | 16s. | 1372 | 16s. |
| Total | £9443 | 4s. | |
There remains now to show the amount of capital which a large contractor must embark in his business: I include the amount of rent, and the expenditure on what must be provided for business purposes, and which is subject to wear and tear, to decay, and loss.
There are not now, I am told, more than twelve scavengers’ wharfs and 20 yards (the wharf being also a yard) in the possession of the contractors in regular work. These are the larger contractors, and their capital, I am assured, may be thus estimated:—
Capital of the Master Scavengers.
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| 179 | Carts, 21l. each | 3,759 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Waggons, 32l. each | 96 | 0 | 0 |
| 230 | Horses, 25l. each | 5,750 | 0 | 0 |
| 230 | Sets of harness, 2l. each | 460 | 0 | 0 |
| 600 | Brooms, 9d. each | 22 | 10 | 0 |
| 300 | Shovels, 1s. each | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 | Barges, 50l. each | 5,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 15,102 | 10 | 0 | |
I have estimated according to what may be the present value, not the original cost, of the implements, vehicles, &c. A broom, when new, costs 1s. 2d., and is worn out in two or three weeks. A shovel, when new, costs 2s.
The following appears to be the