On the Dot...

How can drivers respect the Highway Code with such confusing signs as at Dingli? To get out of this village one has to ignore the no entry sign. This is common as was the case until some days ago in St Paul Street, Valletta, corner with Old Theatre Street.

Chicken mystery

Now why would fairly large groups of people, mostly men, congregate in a Bwieraq Street, Birkirkara tenement, which they are seen entering holding poultry in their hands, for instance? There is never any smell of chicken broth. The meetings are a daily occurrence, going on throughout the day. Several reports to the police have so far not resulted in any deterrence - the meetings continue.

Sites Unseen

The stretch of Cannon Road, Sta Venera, going down from the World Market Shops to the Auto Factors establishment, is fast becoming an accident black spot. Cars going towards Hamrun or Qormi are likely to veer right, towards the middle of the road, to avoid the bushes that have been allowed to grow into the street, directly into the path of cars coming from the opposite direction. Moreover, since the pavement is usually blocked with parked cars, pedestrians are likely to take to the road too, at that same corner.

Short Storey

A part of the low rubble wall surrounding the vacant plot across the road from what used to be the match factory in Marsa, had been torn down and left in disrepair. This makes it easy for the stray dogs that live in the area to wander in and out of it, crossing the narrow road at will, causing many near-misses when motorists fail to see them in good time.

Time Out

The idea to introduce a direct bus service from different localities to the University of Malta was all right - for some. Unfortunately, the last bus departs from Campus at 5.10 p.m., just five minutes before the clerical staff leave the offices. This means that a journey which could have been more than halved, remains as long as it ever was, again for lack of foresight.

Green Area

Parents, whose children attend the Fgura Primary School, kindergarten section, have written to express their delight at the way the schooling of their offspring is being carried out. The teachers are dedicated, loving, efficient and a veritable model for others, and, happily, they work hand in hand with the excellent administration of the primary section.

Drip Torture

The accounts section of the Water Services Corporation (tel. 2124 9851) appear to dance to a different tune from the rest of the public service. On November 1, the person answering the call at 4.35 p.m. said that "everybody was packing to leave", as if there were a mass exodus in progress, and on November 2, at 4.25 p.m., the young lady clerk seemed quite annoyed that a call had been put through to her, insisting they only took calls up to 3.30 p.m.

Blank Terse

The school social work service has issued a new form (SEWO7B) wherein it is asked of parents why their child would not have attended school on the dates indicated. Failure to comply would mean a summons accompanied by a fine. One hopes that this clampdown will go the whole hog and include investigations about child abuse, including child labour.

See Water

It was recently stated that more than 200 clients of Gozo Channel Co. have subscribed to the frequent traveller scheme launched in June 2003 by the company. Bearing in mind that this service might be privatised in the near future, is there any guarantee that the scheme, a form of contract, will be honoured by the new owners? If not, will a pro rata refund be made?

Wheels of Fortune

Another so-called Car Free Day has come and gone and motorists are as keen to use their private vehicles, rather than public buses, as ever. Despite protestations by officials from the Malta Transport Authority, this probably means it is not the introduction of new routes, or low-floor vehicles, which is preventing an increase in the number of commuters.

Block Voted

In mid-June, citizens who wished to do right by their country - and to earn some extra cash while doing so - worked as electoral commissioners. To date, these have not been paid the fees due to them.

Injunction Site

Is there any particular reason why inoculations are given in the left arm? People who are left-handed may find that the resulting soreness restricts their movement. Asking to have the jab done on the right arm instead results in the reply that it "must" be given on the left.

Which Resignation?

Listed companies are bound by law to make formal announcements, particularly those that could have a bearing on the share price, through the Malta Stock Exchange. Yet, this does not seem to have happened in the case of the resignation of the chairman of Bank of Valletta.

Conduct Unbecoming

A number of lighting installations at the ex-Torpedo Depot public garden, in Msida, were repaired after they were vandalised a month or so again. The paint must have still been wet when vandals struck again. Can the local council keep a tighter watch there, or install closed circuit TV cameras?