On the Dot...

In Balluta Bay there is a waterfall of sorts, flowing down on the rocks by the beach. Two effluent pipes are in evidence further towards the Neptunes waterpolo pitch. It is as yet unclear where this water-like liquid is originating from and what it contains. Is this procedure legal or not?

Sing-Songs

Several political parties abroad include, as part of their propaganda in the run up to elections, pop songs interpreted by artistes who are personalities in their own right; some of these even go on to become nationwide hits. In Malta, the story is slightly different; the music-makers come up with boring, repetitive cant, which is an insult to voters' intelligence.

May... Not

One was under the impression that the Park and Ride scheme would come into effect by May 1. Since that is less than two months away, it is patently obvious that, short of a miracle, nothing will help these plans come to fruition. Meanwhile, commuters are still confused as to why they have to cross a series of tiny lanes when it would be infinitely better to cross the street at one go.

Clean Sweep

This column has had reason, several times, to complain about how visitors to St Luke's Hospital, or to the blood bank next door, feel intimidated at having to face a horde of people who appear to have nothing better to do than hang around and pass the time of day. The good news is that, in the near future, loitering in the area will become punishable at law.

Machinations

It is a well-known fact that the booms of cranes are left slightly lose in order that they give with the wind without snapping. However, there is only one problem with that: rather than locking up machinery such as stone cutters, operators sometimes hang them on to the ends so that they will not be stolen overnight. This means that, should there be a high wind, the axis and the centre of gravity of the gantry move through a wider arc, thus increasing the probability of an accident.

Open House

It is becoming something of a habit for irregular immigrants to literally surmount the barriers that are supposed to keep them within the boundaries of the Safi compound. Subconsciously or not, their direction of choice lately seems to be Malta International Airport. One would have thought that closed circuit cameras and other deterrent measures would have ensured that this type of incident happened only once.

Cell Divisions

About a month ago we were regaled with the information that almost 80 per cent of the population owns a mobile telephone; and soon after that we were told that many of these, when they tried to use their phones to indicate their preferences in the Song for Europe Festival, found they could not. Granted that this is a one-off occasion, when many people are trying to access the same numbers simultaneously, have any provisions been taken to ensure the snag does not recur?

Art Sake

It is a well-known fact that some teachers, both the in-house ones as well as the peripatetic staff, enter their charges into any competition they know about because they firmly believe children can do with extra-curricular activities that enhance creativity. In some schools, however, there is "no time to waste" on such things. Little wonder, then, that lists of winners always appear to be permutations of the same handful of schools.

Road Runners

It is not the first time, and rightly so, that roads that would not have been constructed up to par have to be repaired by those contracted to lay them in the first place. This is a sad waste of taxpayers' money - especially when there are dozens of pot-holed streets still waiting to be seen to.

Collection Tins

One is pleased to note that several entities are staging collection drives for charity well outside the usual Christmastide plethora. However, unfortunately, even this time it is being assumed that people have a cellular telephone, and, when they do, they have enough credit in it to make the donation. How about facilitating things by allowing people to make donations, say, at their local parish office, or local council?

Wrong Step

Once again, the door to a stone stairway opening into Canon Road, Santa Venera, at the back of what used to be the Swan Laundry, has been forced open. This means there is now easy access to the rooftops of the residences in the area. The door in question is right across the road from the entrance of the new Bank of Valletta building.

Air Bagged

Some people think that resting an air-conditioner on the ground rather than affixing it to the walls of a building means it will cause less notice. This may be true visually, but the vibrations it creates may actually increase. When there are a number of appliances, as happens where there are office suites or apartments, the collective effect is such that it will surely inhibit the quality of life of those within earshot and those who have to live with the constant vibration.