On the Dot...

An oleander plant growing in a rectangular concrete pot in front of the Fortina Spa Resort, in Tigné has grown so much it has burst its container. The hotel, which sees it as something which should be removed, cannot do so because it is public property.

Handy rubber

Remnants of a burst tyre have been lying by the kerb on the road leading from the mosque in Paola to Fgura for at least four weeks. The road, known as Il-Benniena, desperately needs a thorough clean up.

Double parking

Congestion of traffic and double parking near Pretoria Bar opposite the Labour Party club, in Tarxien is rife. Who is responsible? Prompt action is called for before a traffic accident takes place. Where are the police and local wardens?

Every Which Way

Many weeks ago, these columns featured a photograph of the tall stone needle standing at the Hamrun entrance from Blata l-Bajda, in front of the MUSEUM chapel, indicating it was ripe for restoration. Nothing was done about it and the problem is now worse, including as it does a bit chipped off the dedication plaque.

Mosta Unruly

The sloping high border made of soil and dry weeds between the Tal-Blata l-Gholja housing estate, in Mosta and the street that is being used by traffic nowadays is an accident waiting to happen. The soil is gradually working its way loose and the dry grass is just waiting for a match to set it alight. The area needs to be levelled before rain causes the soil to settle and before any more rubbish is thrown into the decrepit patch.

Cessation Clinics?

It is amazing that although we are almost at the end of 2004 some households are still not served by a drainage system but have to rely on emptying septic tanks or cesspits. One hopes this inconvenient method of waste removal will soon be abolished, with all areas connected to the sewerage system.

Sour Grapes

The KSU magazine includes an insert inviting students to become members of a particular club, with alcohol being depicted as the main attraction, since members would get special offers on it. This gives a totally new meaning to the expression "Club Culture".

Price Warts

It is all too easy to mutter the stale phrase "price liberalisation" but this apparently does not apply to all sectors of the economy. One was under the impression that each and every item in a shop window, or on shelves, must be marked with a price to make comparisons by consumers that much easier. However, this is not the case and one is often obliged to walk into a shop to ask for the price of particular items.

Consumer What?

In view of the recent hike in the price of Maltese bread and the introduction of the so-called eco-contribution, can the Consumer Affairs Division, or whatever its correct title is, please make itself that little bit more seen and felt? It has been conspicuous by its sheer absence.

Road Harrows

On Monday, August 30, at about 10.30 p.m., one warden risked his life in the dangerous stretch of road between Burmarrad and Targa Gap by standing in the middle of the road and waving his torch at a road hog in a four-wheeler who decided to drive along the centre strip in order to overtake half a dozen vehicles that were negotiating the area carefully. A couple of inches more and the warden would have been tossed into the air like a rag doll by another vehicle speeding downhill since visibility is not too good in the area.

Site to See

It is not the first time that the street lights on the right-hand side of Glormu Cassar Avenue, going up from Floriana to Valletta, are left on during the day-time. There must be something wrong with the lighting timers. Some of the bulbs are not working, moreover, and need to be replaced.

Fag Ends

Advertisements for cigarettes in public places were discontinued for some time, on the assumption that these could entice hitherto non-smokers into the habit. However, one notes the gradual appearance of adverts - that are depicted in such a way that they could be advertisements for clothing or cosmetics until one looks closer - for a particular brand of so-called women's cigarettes. These set their sights on a captive audience, being placed in bus shelters.