Pitch and toss

Gambling was not permitted, and a coin game called "pitch and toss" could get you into serious trouble. In January 1905, a group of young men were caught in the act, and brought before the city court: Constables Serpell and Hooley on Saturday proceeded against a number of young men at the city court on a charge of playing "pitch and toss." From the evidence it appeared that on January 22 the two constables visited a vacant piece of ground at Redan, and saw the three defendants throwing silver coins in the air. Mr. Fred. Ham, who appeared for the defence, urged, that the actual throwing of a coin was not proof of gambling, and unless the police could show that some money changed hands on the result of the throw the case must fail. The Bench (consisting of Messrs. W. Dickson, P.M., and C C. Shoppee and J. Douglas, J.P.'s) accepted the view, and dismissed the case