Among the occupations that have sprung up of late years is that of the
purchase and distribution of the refuse cinders or coke obtained from
the different gas-works, which are supplied at a much cheaper rate
than coal. Several of the larger gas companies burn as many as 100,000
tons of coals per annum, and some even more, and every ton thus burnt
is stated to leave behind two chaldrons of coke, returning to such
companies 50 per cent. of their outlay upon the coal. The distribution
of coke is of the utmost importance to those whose poverty forces them
to use it instead of coal.
It is supposed that the ten gas companies in and about the metropolis
produce at least 1,400,000 chaldrons of coke, which are distributed to
the poorer classes by vans, one-horse carts, donkey carts, trucks, and
itinerant vendors who carry one, and in some cases two sacks lashed
together on their backs, from house to house.
The van proprietors are those who, having capital, contract with the
companies at a fixed rate per chaldron the year through, and supply
the numerous retail shops at the current price, adding 3_d._ per
chaldron for carriage; thus speculating upon the rise or fall of the
article, and in most cases carrying on a very lucrative business. This
class numbers about 100 persons, and are to be distinguished by the
words “coke contractor,” painted on a showy ground on the exterior of
their handsome well-made vehicles; they add to their ordinary business
the occupation of conveying to their destination the coke that the
companies sell from time to time. These men have generally a capital,
or a reputation for capital, to the extent of 400_l._ or 500_l._, and
in some cases more, and they usually enter into their contracts with
the companies in the summer, when but small quantities of fuel are
required, and the gas-works are incommoded for want of space to contain
the quantity made. They are consequently able, by their command of
means, to make advantageous bargains, and several instances are known
of men starting with a wheelbarrow in this calling and who are now the
owners of the dwellings in which they reside, and have goods, vans, and
carts besides.
Another class, to whom may be applied much that has been said of the
van proprietors, are the possessors of one-horse carts, who in many
instances keep small shops for the sale of greens, coals, &c. These men
are scattered over the whole metropolis, but as they do not exclusively
obtain their living by vending this article, they do not properly
belong to this portion of the inquiry.
A very numerous portion of the distributors of coke are the donkey-cart
men, who are to be seen in all the poorer localities with a quantity
shot in the bottom of their cart, and two or three sacks on the top or
fastened underneath--for it is of a light nature--ready to meet the
demand, crying “Coke! coke! coke!” morning, noon, and night. This they
sell as low as 2_d._ per bushel, coke having, in consequence of the
cheapness of coals, been sold at the gas-works by the single sack as
low as 7_d._, and although there is here a seeming contradiction--that
of a man selling and living by the loss--such is not in reality the
case. It should be remembered that a bushel of good coke will weigh
40 lbs., and that the bushels of these men rarely exceed 25 lbs.; so
that it will be seen that by this unprincipled mode of dealing they can
seemingly sell for less than they give, and yet realize a good profit.
The two last classes are those who own a truck or wheelbarrow or are
the fortunate possessors of an athletic frame and broad shoulders,
who roam about near the vicinity of the gas-works, soliciting custom,
obtaining ready cash if possible, but in most cases leaving one sack on
credit, and obtaining a profit of from 2_d._, 3_d._, 4_d._, or more.
These men are to be seen going from house to house cleverly regulating
their arrival to such times as when the head of the family returns
home with his weekly wage, and in possession of ready cash enough to
make a bargain with the coke contractor. Another fact in connection
with this class, many of whom are women, who employ boys to drag or
carry their wares to their customers, is this: when they fail through
any cause, they put their walk up for sale, and find no difficulty to
obtain purchasers from 2_l._ to as high as 8_l._, 10_l._, and 12_l._
The street-sellers of coke number in all not less than 1500 persons,
who may be thus divided: van proprietors, 100; single horse carts,
300; donkey-cart men, 500; trucks, wheelbarrows, and “physical force
men,” 550; and women about 50, who penetrate to all the densely-crowded
districts about town distributing this useful article; the major
portion of those who are of anything like sober habits, live in
comfort; and in spite of the opinion held by many, that the consumption
of coke is injurious to health and sight, they carry on a large and
increasing business.
At the present time coke may be purchased at the gas factories at 6_s._
per chaldron; but in winter it generally rises to 10_s._, so that,
taking the average, 8_s._, it will be found, that the gas factories of
the metropolis realize no less a sum than 560,000_l._ per annum, by
the _coke_ produced in the course of their operations. And 4_s._ per
chaldron being considered a fair profit, it will be found, that the
total profit arising from its sale by the various vendors is 280,000_l._
It is impossible to arrive with any degree of certainty at the actual
amount of business done by each of the above-named classes, and the
profits consequent on that business: by dividing the above amount
equally among all the coke sellers, it will be found to give 186_l._
per annum to each person. But it will be at once seen, that the same
rule holds good in the coke trade that has already been explained
in connection with coals: those possessing vans reaping the largest
amount of profit; the one-horse cart men next; then the donkey carts,
trucks, and wheelbarrows; and, least of all, the “backers,” as they are
sometimes called.
Concerning the amount of capital invested in the street-sale of coals
it may be estimated as follows:--
If we allow 70_l._ for each of the 100
vans, it will give £7,000
20_l._ for each of the horses 2,000
300 carts at 10_l._ each 3,000
300 horses at 10_l._ each 3,000
500 donkey-carts at 1_l._ each 500
500 donkeys at 1_l._ each 500
200 trucks and barrows at 10_s._ each 100
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making a total of £16,000