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SCMP Reporter

Q Are we using our air conditioners wisely enough?

Every time I ride the KCR from Lowu to Tsim Sha Tsui and back, the air-conditioning in the first-class carriage is so cold it is unbearable.

I am someone who likes a cool room but those carriages are ridiculously cold.

Ted Wilson, Shenzhen

With regards to your article on Saturday  about air conditioners and the temperature in some stores,  have you checked out the CitySuper outlets in Times Square and IFC Malls? I went to the IFC mall on Friday  and presume the temperature there was set at about  17 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Rattan Mangharam,

Old Peak Road

In light of ongoing territory-wide initiatives to use energy less wastefully, I wondered if Starbucks Hong Kong (or whatever  it is called) could enlighten me on  its 'cool Pokfulam and the Mid-Levels programme'  operating at its  branch on the University of Hong Kong's main campus.

As a fairly regular visitor to the institute, I am aware that over the past few years it has drastically reduced energy consumption, and indeed its efforts have been recognised in local and international  competitions. In this context, it seems odd that  Starbucks sees fit not to join in.

Also, how can the company justify to its shareholders that it effectively torches profits by each day releasing tens of thousands of litres of cryogenically chilled air into the atmosphere?

Finally, the company is  running a green campaign (little posters with trees and the usual clap-trap one-liners; green plastic knives, forks etc) which includes the slogan 'Save the Environment and use less disposable utilities' (presumably it means utensils, but that is a minor matter).

I can only assume that this is a joke, or is simply a means of having another bullet pointed 'positive' in  the next annual report.

Maybe on the next 'No Plastic Bags Thank-You Very Much La' day, regulars to the campus cafe could think about alternative refreshment sources.

Jason Ali, Sheung Wan

Q Will the five-day week improve the work-life balance of Hongkongers?

My restaurant has provided  a five-day work week since we began three years ago. To do so and remain competitive  we had to be more flexible in staff numbers while staff have had to accept an hourly based pay.

So far it has worked well for all concerned, and every staff member who wanted  more hours and overtime has  found great value in the  two days off. Now the company has to beg and cajole for overtime.

The problem with the government's implementation of its five-day week is that it  didn't learn  from the service industries.

It could have cut to a five-day week and expanded to seven days of service. This would have afforded more service to the community and a benefit to  staff, instead of fractionally longer days that add no value to the customer.

Christopher Gallaga, Ma Wan

Q Should the Star Ferry pier and clock tower be saved?

Save the Star Ferry pier. It is a true shame that our bureaucrats continue to live in the bubble-gum fantasy of 'theme park urbanism'.

Look at the pastiche that is the new Star Ferry terminal, why does it remind us of the fiasco of  the Central Library building? The sponsors and designers of these structures are ill equipped in the language of architecture, thus their pet projects tend to follow those the insecure nouveau riche prefer - dolled-up structures that will not withstand the test of time because they are fundamentally dishonest, an imitation of the past without capturing the spirit of the past or  the present.

The existing ferry terminal and the buildings on 'Government Hill' are understated but extremely well detailed,  not in the 'in your face' styles  certain legislators would like. They might look simple at first glance but their subtle details are intelligent and not  found in contemporary construction.  Why wipe them out?

Do we really believe that visitors are interested in seeing yet another disproportioned, glass-clad box sprouting off a laughably small plot that spells greed and nothing else?

Hong Kong is  becoming a city that is resorting to kitsch and slogans instead of focusing on the real issues. Are we aware that Hong Kong is  starting to look like a third-tier  mainland city?

Megalomania is symptomatic of an inferiority complex. In fact, this is the same reason why we don't believe in the West Kowloon project. The cultural hub's champions are the same people who continue to bastardise our waterfronts, give blessings to  buildings that will dwarf our green hills, and do nothing when heritage issues are at stake.

The issue at stake is 'respect' - how can we trust  policy makers on these decisions when they have shown no respect to our own built and natural environments?

Please, stop looking to Las Vegas or Macau as role models and do some soul-searching  - everything that represented what was once great and wonderful about Hong Kong is still here, just waiting to be appreciated.

Leslie Shih, MacDonnell Road

Alas, the planners are  again keen to destroy Hong Kong's colonial heritage - striving to make it just another big Chinese city. They are on the right track, as the clock tower represents that which is 'Hong Kong'.

It has been used to promote Hong Kong  tourism for years. It's hard to believe there is no place else for this development.

Dean Andrews, Central



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