The ovals and hockey grounds were not an option. There are goal posts and light standards around them as well as very limiting approaches which include blocks of flats, grandstands, trees and the Hobart Domain, a fairly substantial piece of real estate that could really mess up your day.
The police officer concerned was very tired having attended a two car collision involving 8 people and was still on duty. He also had to wait for a forensic officer to get to the site to photograph it. This may have contributed to his shortness.
The pilot did an excellent job in putting it on the ground in one piece and if it hadn't been the Victa's inability to take a bend in the highway it might still be in one piece. The port wing just caught a tree and slewed the aircraft left where the wing then caught a lamp post throwing the aircraft onto the footpath and damaging the undercarriage.
The "running" away was to try and warn oncoming traffic that there was an unusual hazard on the road. He certainly did not run away from the scene. As to circling for some time I suggest this was probably before the problem occurred requiring an emergency landing. Victa's don't glide well.
Incidentally, the aircraft had been fitted with a 150 hp motor and I doubt that it will fly again unless someone wants a project.