Letters to the editor – June 16, 2026

A happy place

Cynthia Mott of Ontario, Canada writes:

As a teenager, I had the great fortune of spending four wonderful years in Malta, from 1966 to 1970, thanks to my dear dad’s job with the British army Pay Corps. 

He worked in what was then Montgomery House, Floriana (now Middle Sea House, I believe). I attended the Services school at Tal-Ħandaq.

In this photograph – rather creased due to its age, I’m afraid, like its owner – I, then a young teen, can be seen presenting a bouquet to the indomitable Mabel Strickland, circa 1968. The man on the left was the famous illustrator and Punch cartoonist H.M. Bateman, who lived in Gozo.

To this day, Malta and its wonderful, unique people remain in my heart and I return as often as possible. 

Although much has changed from those halcyon days – where isn’t? – it is still my happy place, always will be.

Questionable presence

Emily Barbaro-Sant of Mosta writes:

Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by his wife and daughter waving to the crowd gathered in St George’s Square, Valletta to wish him well, featured on the front page of the June 2 edition of the Times of Malta. So far, so good.

Together with the Abela family, there was President Miriam Spiteri Debono, also waving to the crowd of Labourites. I asked myself: Is it usual for a head of state to wave to political party supporters? Was it ethical for her to wave to the cheering crowd? Admittedly, she is the head of state but the crowd present at St George’s Square consisted only, for sure, of diehard Labourites who were there specifically to cheer Abela.

While on the subject, it would be interesting to know whether the head of state has advisers. Now that the elections are over and the Labour won using all sorts of gimmicks and corrupt practices to catch votes, does she still believe that Abela called a general election a year in advance because of an international crisis? In a previous correspondence, I hinted that the president must have been taken for a ride. Today, I can honestly confirm I was right.

Windmill water pumps

Alfred Conti Borda of Mosta writes:

I quite recall the windmill water pumps in Malta. They were sturdy, made of galvanised steel and their purpose was to draw water from the ground, making them very useful in supplying water to farms and homes.

The pump consisted of a very high tower with a rudder at the back for turning into the wind. It had the word ‘Aeromotor’ printed on the rudder and some had the name place of manufacture printed too. 

I vividly recall a windmill water pump being dismantled at the Għammieri government farm when l was an agriculture student there in 1970. That was the start of the pumps being superseded by more efficient water pumps.