31 May 1912, Adelaide Advertiser

FOOTBALL.

THE HINDMARSH OVAL.

Members of the West Torrens II. Football Club complain that they have been prevented from using Lindsay-circus Oval, Hindmarsh, and the council has been condemned for giving preference on "off Saturdays" to British Association football. This matter was brought up at the meeting of the Hindmarsh branch of the United Labor Party on Wednesday evening, held in the Temperance Hall, Brompton, when Mr. H. W. Tomkins, secretary of West Torrens II., and a member of the managing committee of the senior club, asked members of the council present why preference was given to the British Association game when senior football matches were not being played.

The Mayor (Mr. J. D. Brown) said he was of opinion that there was room for both games, and personally he did not favor any game, although he preferred the Australian. Reference had been made to Councillor Holiday, a prominent member of the British Association, and be would say that that councillor had not in any way influenced the council in arriving at a decision to allow the use of the oval on off dates for British football. Last year West Torrens II. had the first call on the ground after the South Australian League games had been arranged, and this year the town clerk, who was the secretary of the oval, had given preference to the British Association who offered better terms for the use of the oval. He, as mayor, and other members of the council had not to consider sentiment. Their duty was to do the best they could for the town by making the oval pay. He, however, thought there had been some misunderstanding over the arrangements made.

Councillor Hooper advised that applications for the oval should be sent in early, for if left too late, as was the case under discussion, disappointment could not be avoided. If details were settled earlier both games would be able to have a fair share of the dates.