A game of ‘two up’ as reported in the Windsor & Richmond Gazette 10th December, 1910.
An awkward squad of 11 men from Riverstone filed into the court to answer a charge of playing a game in a public place, to the annoyance of the public. They were some of the ‘boys’ from Riverstone meat works, looking very sorry, and were prepared to plead guilty.
It seems 1st Class Constable Auckett, in company with Constable Langley from Rouse Hill made a raid at the balmy hour of 3-00 am and were mingling with the men around the ring before they were aware of it.
Mr Walker— who appeared for the defendants, said these men were all respectable and had never been in trouble like this before. While work was going on at the meat works, a certain time elapses while they are waiting for the trucks. There was an electric light which gave plenty of light, and the men were just having a game while waiting for something to do. It was similar to having a game of cricket in the street. They were on meat works property and got together to have a game. Some of the men charged were taking no part in the game, but were only looking on.
They have all pleaded guilty rather than offer a defence. If there was a small fine inflicted, he promised on behalf of the men, that they would never indulge in the game again. The maximum fine is 2 pounds, but he thought if a nominal fine of 1 shilling was inflicted it would meet the case; and be sufficient to make the men refrain from playing the game again. They were not blaming the police, and were sorry for what they had done.
Senior Sergeant Norris — Two up has been going on there for the past three months, and he would ask for a more severe penalty.
Mr Walker— Some of the men have only been there three weeks, and there have been no prosecutions before. The P.M. said that on assurances given, he would treat the men leniently. If they carried on in the game the police would take more drastic action. The police had been very generous, as he understood they could have laid further charges. He would inflict a fine of two shillings and six pence, with six shillings costs.
All the ‘boys’ looked startled at the leniency of the court and got out quickly. As a sum of three shillings and tuppence had been seized Snr Sgt Norris wanted to know what to do with it. It was decided to hand it over to Windsor Hospital.
The police are to keep the ‘kip’ as a remembrance of the event.