It appears the development council wants to give priority to more experienced filmmakers and avoid experimentation. It would seem the solution to a stale film industry struggling to excite audiences is to help our established production houses finance, now with public money, yet more commercially driven films starring Hong Kong's omnipresent and multitalented (singer-model-actor) celebrities.

Great filmmakers are great storytellers. They are also great innovators and experimental artists. Is not the common complaint of the film industry today that it lacks creativity? Quantity doesn't seem to be the problem, but quality.

Assuming that Hong Kong has the creative talent, should we not be asking why the local industry seems unable to encourage, identify and support it?

May I suggest, without sounding self-serving, that the fund be used to finance new local talent struggling to get financing from an already highly commercial industry.

In a society that prides itself on entrepreneurship, why not use government money to place a few bets on daring new filmmakers with new perspectives, stories and ideas?

Bet on a story, not a track record of mediocrity.

Evan Fowler, Fo Tan

What do you think of the Jockey Club plan for Central Police Station?

The preservation of heritage means leaving old buildings alone, just conserving them or repairing them as needed. It does not mean erecting yet another glass skyscraper in Central, as the Jockey Club now proposes, in the name of 'heritage'.

Those old police and prison buildings may be old, but few are architecturally distinguished.

The best thing about that sight is the large open courtyard. With a bit of imagination, and less greed, that could become a welcome open sitting-out area in congested Central, surrounded by coffee shops, boutiques and art galleries, along the lines of London's Covent Garden.

They didn't put up huge blocks as part of so-called 'preserving' their heritage at the disused central London sight.

Can't we afford to do the same, without literally casting a shadow over the sight by erecting yet another hideous and out-of-proportion monstrosity - the design of which is totally unmatched to the low-rise Victorian buildings supposedly preserved by its construction?

Rob Leung, Wan Chai

What can be done to attract more backpackers?

So now it seems our administration wants more backpackers in Hong Kong.

It only seems like yesterday that those smelly hippies - who did not spend any money in the five-star hotels and only worked in the bars for a few months, then went off to cleaner countries - were made unwelcome here.

Many permanent residents of Hong Kong started their lives in our home as backpackers. Many of these people have now set up business and hire local employees, introducing a far more exciting and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The simplest solution to attract more backpackers is to allow them to work here.

As has been stated before, short-term work visas applied for in the home country to the usual group of first-world countries would attract a large pool of talented young people, put Hong Kong back on the backpacker itinerary, put money into the small businesses, help put staff in bars and give young Hongkongers opportunities to meet a greater diversity of people.

Stephen Anderson, Wan Chai

Should Chinese University of Hong Kong teach mainly in Chinese?

Concern has been expressed over the increased use of English at Chinese University. Some people have claimed that the increasing use of English might conflict with the ordinance that governs the university's constitution and, therefore, teaching should mainly be in Chinese.

However, I strongly believe that adhering to such strict guidelines will be inconvenient, result in confusion and put obstacles in front of students and professors. Lecturers have to be given the flexibility to decide what language is suitable for students in a particular course. Without this flexibility, it is students who will lose out.

As Hong Kong is an international financial city, our young people are expected to have a good command of English, Cantonese and Putonghua. If only one language is taught, this will cause a decline in other languages, which will lower the competitiveness of our students.

A university is a place where a student should have access to different languages. It has a responsibility to equip students with the skills that will make them more competitive when they enter society.

If they are being taught in a one-language institution, this may create obstacles for them in their working lives and place restrictions on what they can learn.

Ingrid Wong, Hung Hom

How should we tackle teenage drug abuse?

An increasing number of teenagers are addicted to drugs and this affects the crime rate in Hong Kong.

There is a great deal of public concern about this issue and members of the public want to see action taken to fight this problem. I have a number of suggestions about what could be done.

Teenagers have ignored the harmful effects of drugs and the government has not done enough to make them aware of what these dangerous drugs can do to them.

It needs to carry out more campaigns to try to get the message across to youngsters.

It should also be taking action against the drug dealers. The penalties should be increased against people found guilty of selling drugs to teenagers.

More counselling organisations need to be established, where teenagers can go if they want to get help.

Parents also play an important role. They have a responsibility to take care of their children and emphasise to them the importance of staying off drugs.

Teenagers must also be aware of the dangers of drugs. If someone tries to sell them drugs, they should go to their teachers or their social workers.

We all have a responsibility to help and deal with this problem, and action must be taken without delay.

Elaine Tsoi, Kwai Chung

On other matters...

A week last Sunday I had the opportunity to view the recently completed Stanley Pier.

All looked well, but I was surprised to see a notice with a timetable of a ferry service to Aberdeen and Po Toi and back.

It was about six or seven years ago that I, as a member of Enhancement of Stanley for Tourists Association, (Esta) submitted a proposal for the building of a pier in Stanley to enable junks and other pleasure craft to lay anchor and enjoy lunch at one of the many attractive restaurants and pubs in Stanley, and have a stroll through the famous market.

It took a long time to find out which Hong Kong government department had to be contacted. This turned out to be the Housing Authority.

After one year of initial discussions the government official in charge was transferred to another department and I had to start all over again.

There were many meetings and discussions, which resulted in the finalising of plans for the construction of a multi-purpose pier with the former Blake Pier's roof in front of the rebuilt Murray House and, indeed, an additional tourist (and local) attraction to our village.

When I inquired with the Southern District office whether there would be an official opening ceremony, the Tourism Commission answered that no such plans existed.

I for one would have been delighted to be present and pay tribute to Esta for its efforts.

Maybe a ceremonial traditional Chinese opening is still on the cards, after the authorities have put some benches on the pier for elderly people like myself to sit in comfort while waiting for the next ferry.

When will the ferry company contemplate a service from Stanley to Central, thereby alleviating the morning and evening traffic jams in the Aberdeen Tunnel?

J.B.M. Litmaath, Stanley