On the Dot...

The Mall, in Floriana is named after the game of pell-mell, which is somewhere in between bowling and bocci. However, anyone trying to play any games there these days is sure to come a cropper. The surface of the pathways is so uneven that balls would ricochet off the bumps and hollows, going anywhere but where the players would have aimed them.

Market Value

Two terrapins were literally and desperately trying to keep their head above the tiny amount of water in plastic bags that were hung upon a stall at the Valletta flea market. This happened last Tuesday at about 10.30 a.m. but, no doubt, is an almost daily occurrence for animals that are not purchased by passers-by. This type of neglect is also ill-treatment.

Chinese Puzzle

Clothing from Asia, specifically China, is flooding the European market since trade bans were lifted. This is happening because the number of workers available is much more than it is on the continent and, besides, the pay is much less, and the hours worked per week are much more than EU legislation allows. This is why the product is cheaper; not necessarily because it is of inferior quality, as some people who ought to know better would have us believe.

Border Lines

To commemorate the first anniversary since Malta's accession to the European Union, Maltapost issued a special top-up pack, containing all the stamp issues since May 1 of last year. This, in itself, has special philatelic value. One wonders whether at a later date there may be plans to advertise such one-off issues nationwide, especially in schools, to attract the younger generation to such an interesting, pro-active hobby.

Road Rage

An article in a past issue of a foreign magazine had said adamantly that vehicles were being stolen "to order" in one continent, to be sold in another. Now it transpires that Malta was on the route of such criminal transactions. Well done, once more, to the Customs officers who successfully broke this smuggling ring.

Revolving Chairs

After the major overhaul and expense gone through for the refurbishment of the MITTS offices in Blata l-Bajda, the latest reports indicate that the entity is moving to Villa Portelli, in Kalkara. Whereas this will mean a saving on the rents paid for the former premises in Blata l-Bajda, the fact remains that a hefty amount has been spent, for which there will be no redress.

Boat Swains

Speaking of saving money... how is it that Enemalta has had to issue a contract offer for a luzzu to ferry personnel and equipment to and from Malta, Comino and Gozo, from third parties? Is there no other department or parastatal entity that has seacraft that may be used by Enemalta and any other entity that may need transport to places not covered by ferry traffic?

Fresh Air

It would seem that public servants who are also smokers have taken the warnings about not polluting the air for their colleagues, top heart. Where offices have access to public roads or external spaces that form part of the building itself, it is not unusual to see persons holding a cigarette in one hand and a mobile telephone in the other. One assumes they make up for lost time during what ought to have been the official midday break.

Film Strip

Opportunists have been known to charge visiting companies the earth for the use of their facilities. The "contact point desk" attached to the EU programme Media 2007 will give Malta access to funds from the EU to be used for audio-visual products, including films. This, as well as a set rating system for charges, ought to make things easier and more attractive to film-makers, whether Maltese or foreigners.

Sound Proof

Those who worked in noisy environments at the Malta Shipyards are offered hearing tests to determine the state of their aural health. How many of those who worked in close contact with asbestos are offered tests to determine whether they have suffered changes in their cells that could lead to serious illness if left untreated?

Call Sign

Maltacom plc has actuated one of the suggestions given in this column, viz that a number (25) of exhausted Easyline cards may now be exchanged by a subscriber for a Lm2 card. Of course, the cost of calls when compared to the ordinary landline system adds up to more than this rebate but the goodwill is there and one hopes the arrangement will be improved at a later date.

Bad Blood

How inconsiderate it was - whatever authority allowed it - for an injured horse to be slaughtered and then bled on Malta's main road - National Road, no less - just to make its meat more edible. The reason for all this was, of course, the bottom line. Its meat could fetch up to Lm200!