On the Dot...

For some time now, certain medical specialists have been issuing receipts under their own name, as well as that of the clinic in which they practise, together with the amount of payment received, on a common type of receipt, rather than on the official one issued by the VAT Department. But other medical practitioners, such as dentists, have to use VAT forms.

Light Relief

It is grossly unfair that whenever the owners of a tenement have reneged on their water and electricity bills, anyone who rents the same residence from them, oblivious of this fact, is liable to have his supply cut off until the due payment is made. The action becomes even more inconsiderate when one realises that several commercial establishments, hotels, other entities and even other families, owe the Water Services Corporation much larger sums. Isn't the law equal for all?

Van Abandoned

A rusty blue van, less its headlamps, whose licence expired two months ago, has been parked in Independence Square, Valletta, since last September. Calls to the local council, the police station, and the police depot have left no result.

Bed Manners

This column has often had cause to complain about the 'treatment' meted out to outpatients in different clinics. They turn up on time for appointments at 8 a.m. or before that, to be blithely informed by the receptionist that "he" - a reference to the consultant on duty or any doctor in his firm - does not usually come in before 9.30 a.m. It would seem that the Department of Health will finally be putting an end to this behaviour. However, one notes that the public is treated in like manner in government departments too.

Be A Sport?

Primary school teachers have been informed that since next year will be dedicated to sport, it would be more than suitable for each class to come up with a topical activity. One hopes that this circular will excite more interest than did the Sport For All Campaign.

Nun of That

The convent annexed to St Ursula Church, on the Mediterranean Street side, was scheduled for restoration a long time ago. The walls are still festooned with scaffolding and hoardings, and it looks as if this state of affairs will last well into next year. One hopes that the magnificent edifice will be given a new lease of life well before then.

Fine Thing

The wardens prowling along Hamrun's High Street appear to be obsessed with one thing; parking infringements. Residents would appreciate them more if they were to keep one eye open to stop dogs and their owners in their tracks. The stretch of road from St Cajetan's parish church to the bus stop near Farsons Street appears to be a favourite haunt. Sometimes one cannot even risk placing shopping bags on the ground, or, for that matter, open gates or doors, without risking to soil belongings.

Exam Questions

Teachers in state schools in possession of specific qualifications thought they could earn some extra money by working as examiners in Sec examinations. To their chagrin, they discovered that they might have to pay tax at 35 per cent on their earnings, this having been considered a "part-time activity". For some reason, this does not appear to apply to teachers in Church Schools. Why?

Writers Cramped

And while on the subject of examinations, it would not be amiss to point out to the Matsec board that all students are not able to acquire a lift to their examination centres at the snap of a finger. Some of them find that they have to leave home nearly two hours before the set time in order to allow for traffic congestion, especially when they have to catch two buses. One hopes that a more practical, stressless approach is adopted for the re-sits, as a trial run to the next set of examinations.

Off His Feet

The street sweeper on duty by the Floriana roundabout, on Saturday, June 14, in the morning, general area of the car park, must be commended for his thoroughness. Despite the heavy traffic flowing all around him, he conscientiously picked up every single bit of litter, including tiny bits of paper and leaves that kept falling off his dustpan.

Learning Curves

The unmitigated success of the Id F'Id Niccelebraw festival, organised by the Foundation for Educational Services at the Guardian Angel School in Hamrun, highlighted the crying need for such "fun" ways of teaching and learning. This is probably the first time that a nationwide drive has been made to include both gifted children, and those with different needs, under one canopy. Usually, the one is neglected when the other is highlighted.