On the Dot...

Nothing has been done as yet to fix the loose stones at the edge of the roof over the unused building standing over Johnny's Bar in Parish Street, corner with St Paul Street, in St Paul's Bay. Every summer, the situation grows worse, with tiny stones working loose and falling to the street below. Some years ago, a tragedy was avoided when a whole chunk fell on an empty pushchair during the festa.

Wood Works

The Salini area is one of several which are being given a new lease of life. This is all the more reason why the blackened wooden slats must be replaced by a more modern, neater-looking, lighter-coloured, building. Perhaps nothing may be done about the smell emanating from the water; but no doubt the decrepit buildings add to the general dismal air of the place.

Barrakka Triangle

The patch of soil at the corner of Mediterranean Street and Christopher Street, Valletta, is generally well looked after, although the public has a tendency to use it as a large dustbin. However, it is worrying that a part of the railing has been left broken for a long time now, allowing access to children.

Postage Dues

People on the mailing list for notification of new issues and order forms from the philatelic bureau of Maltapost have long been complaining of a deteriorating service. There was a time when the prospectus was a full-colour leaflet with illustrations of the stamps they were being invited to purchase. Lately, they were being sent only a grainy photocopy of the stamps, together with the order form. Perhaps the new management of the entity will see to it that clients are better treated. One never knows - revenue might actually increase.

Examination Fever

Once again the Junior Lyceum Examination results have given rise to several anomalies. Unlike the Church schools examinations, which for that matter are only available to boys, children obtaining four A grades, and a D result in just one subject, are precluded from the afore-mentioned schools, and will be sent to an area secondary, unless they opt to repeat Year VI. This is a waste of time and resources for all concerned - teachers, parents, and especially the pupils themselves.

Testing, Testing

Several schools insist upon a nominal sum, say Lm10, being given by the students at the start of the scholastic year. This is in order that the value of any breakages of equipment be withheld from it, rather than having the student pay if and when they occur. In June, however, the money is not returned, even if no accidents would have occurred, unless it is specifically requested by the student, failing which it will be assumed to have been a donation. Asking for it, one is made to feel penny-pinching.

Surface Station

The owner of a brand new grey Fiat Punto obviously wants to keep it in pristine condition. All the way from Mosta to Bugibba, his two children continuously threw out from the windows, sweet packets, ice-cream cartons and other sundry debris, in a pathetic effort to keep the inside of the car clean.

Taking Leaves

It is all very well claiming one loves the environment, and keeping a colourful garden to prove it. The snag occurs when the colour comes from creepers such as the bougainvillea, which sheds its blooms all over the neighbourhood. Neighbours have to sweep up great quantities of them practically every day, and hesitate to speak to the owners of these tenacious plants in order not to break the good relationships they would otherwise have fostered.

Promenaded?

Driving down to Zonqor Point, in Marsascala, one discovers that the upper part of the open-air parking area has been sectioned off with a chain barrier. This effectively makes it exclusively, although probably not legally, accessible solely to patrons of Il-Pixxina restaurant and the nearby business establishments. This means that, especially during weekends, vehicles block the main road along the promenade area.

New target

Full and empty gas cylinders have been the target of thieves in upper St Francis Street, Balzan area. The cylinders are being stolen from gardens or from behind gates. The police should be on the lookout to curb this spate of thefts.

Stinking skips

Skips in Sliema Road, Gzira are invariably full by lunchtime and remain so till they are collected early the following morning. The skips are used by commercial premises, including food outlets, and in the hot weather the rubbish starts to stink intolerably, long before the skips are collected.

Chapel Danger

Ta' Duna chapel in St Paul Street, corner with Doni Street in Rabat, gives the look, on the exterior, of a building that badly needs maintenance. People who live nearby and have to pass by it are fearful of the stonework, which appears to be crumbling, and has deteriorated badly in some parts.

Disgusting

The fountain at Independence Gardens in Sliema has patches of floating algae, giving it a disgusting appearance. It should be more regularly cleaned.

Frustration

Persons in charge of putting up festoons and lighting for festas have a habit of using telephone lines as support for the decorations. This sometimes leads to a lot of frustration for residents who have their telephone lines put out of order in the process. One such instance took place in Villambrosa Street, Hamrun. A warning against this abuse from Maltacom would help curb this nuisance.