I agree that the debate should be based on facts. It is incumbent on everybody to present information with clarity and accuracy. Only in this way can debate be sensible and rational and avoid raising emotions unnecessarily.

Heather Du Quesnay,

Chief Executive, English Schools Foundation

Further to the letter from Joseph Butler, there is one further clarification that could be made to allow more reasoned debate. Could we please be told the median ESF remuneration as well as the average? For those who might not appreciate the difference, the average is simply the sum of all remuneration divided by the number of recipients, while the median is the point at which half will receive more and half will receive less.

Suppose the reported average of $947,400 is made up of a few fat cats at the top on say $1.5 million to $2 million packages and the vast majority of teachers in say the $500,000-$700,000 range. The median salary will then be significantly less than the average, and a case could indeed be made for the people at the top taking a hit before cutting the pay of those below.

I am neither a teacher nor a parent of an ESF student but as a taxpayer, I would like to see a little more honesty in the argument on how my tax dollars are being spent.

Tim Gallagher, Causeway Bay

Q Should the development of Discovery Bay be stopped?

Yes, unless it can be shown that a very substantial majority of residents are in favour of this development.

I have no desire to live in or visit Discovery Bay, so am a disinterested observer. However, as the place is neither cheap nor particularly convenient to travel to and from, and as it offers very little employment, it is reasonable to assume that most people live there out of choice.

It follows, therefore, that most residents like it as it is. There is something very wrong with the governance of Hong Kong - whether it be a lack of legislation or failure to apply legislation - if it allows a management company to drastically change a residential area against the wishes of the residents.

Apparently, HKR International [the development company that owns Discovery Bay] has consulted the locals; I suggest that their 'consultants' read the first few pages of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and compare their efforts to that of the notification that the planet Earth is to be removed to make way for an intergalactic super-highway.

Peter Robertson, Sai Kung

Further to Allen Japp's letter yesterday, I echo many of his points, particularly on the planned better use of the DB waterfront.

However, with development comes a price and undoubtedly the cost of the redevelopment will mean higher rents and likely more expensive dining in DB.

HKR International needs to recognise that DB's residents are mostly middle-class working families and individuals, most of whom do not work in DB.

A second group of people who make up the DB consumers are the domestic helpers and staff who live and work there. A third group are staff and tradespeople who work in DB but don't live there.

These latter two groups are even less likely to frequent more expensive restaurants for two very clear reasons.

First, they will very likely be western orientated and, second, relatively expensive.

I would be most keen to understand the rationale behind the additions, including cooking classes and chapels. What market research was conducted to support the decisions?

I do differ with Mr Japp's comment about the lack of retail chains. He mentioned only a lone supermarket, which is soon to be expanded. However, there is also a Watsons, a Mannings, a branch of Wing On department store and a Japan home store.

Unfortunately, because most of DB's higher-spending consumers only shop there at the weekend - because they don't work in DB - it's probably not viable for other chains to set up shop there.

DB cannot hope to compete with Mongkok or Causeway Bay when it comes to retail, but that's also a fundamental reason why we live here - so we can leave all that behind.

Development is not a bad thing, but it must be measured, viable and apt.

Chris Mak, Discovery Bay

Q Do you think Hongkongers have an unhealthy lifestyle?

Yes, I think Hongkongers have an unhealthy lifestyle. They work excessively and rarely exercise. They mostly eat unhealthy meals, which leads to high cholesterol and obesity.

Irregular schedules for meals and sleep lead to an imbalance in the metabolism, and most Hong Kong people suffer from stress. Excessive alcohol consumption is also common. All these factors lead to hypertension, diabetes, strokes and coronary disease.

Even though they know the consequences, people still prefer this lifestyle.

Satish Gurungto, To Kwa Wan

On other matters...

I write to respond to the article headlined 'Wildlife smugglers let off too lightly, says green group' in Tuesday's City section.

The article said 'the Customs and Excise Department is much more interested in confiscating CDs from school children rather than stopping the illegal smuggling of endangered species'. This is a misconception.

Hong Kong Customs has all along been committed to cracking down on both smuggling and piracy activities, amongst our many other enforcement functions.

This includes detecting the smuggling of endangered species. The seizure figures speak for themselves.

In 2003 and last year, Hong Kong Customs detected 148 and 221 cases respectively involving endangered species. Between January and September this year, 180 cases were registered. There were two cases involving pangolins or pangolin scales in 2003, and three in 2004.

In the first nine months of this year, the number rose to 10. The number of prosecutions increased from 88 in 2003 to 161 in 2004. There were 122 prosecution cases up to the end of August this year.

These results bear testimony to the department's commitment to crack down on smuggling activities of endangered species. Our dedicated efforts gained recognition and a commendation from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on Wild Fauna and Flora in 2003. Hong Kong Customs was the first recipient of the award since it was introduced in 2002.

Your readers may rest assured that Hong Kong Customs will continue to take vigorous action against all illicit activities involving endangered species.

Fannie Kong, for Commissioner of Customs and Excise