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SCMP Reporter

How can we better protect our birds?
 Given the positive symbolism in Chinese culture associated with swallows nesting under the eaves of a building, I am amazed that anyone in Hong Kong would dare consider removing their nests ('Redevelopment threatens sites for house swifts and barn swallows,' April 30). 
The arrival of swallows to nest under the eaves of a building is hailed as an omen of  success, or  prosperous change in one's business affairs. 
I do hope that anyone thinking about the removal of swallows' nests gives it careful consideration. 
It will be interesting to follow the fortunes of the three places you identify where the nests of these birds are not safe, should the birds fail to return to their nesting sites - the Chinese University  library, the former North Kowloon  magistracy and the HSBC  branch in Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui.  
There is nothing a fung shui  master can do to negate the effects should an owner do anything to discourage these birds from returning to their nesting sites, except to advise them to wave their good fortune goodbye.
Kevin Law, Discovery Bay
  The decline in the number of swifts and barn swallows nesting in Hong Kong is part of a wider problem facing these and other birds. 
On a global scale, habitat protection, the reduction in the use of insecticides (swallows eat insects) and  environmental education are all important. 
However, on a more local scale, shopkeepers and residents on Cheung Chau sometimes suspend small plastic baskets below eaves, which provide swallows with sheltered nesting sites. 
Several of these baskets are now being used by the swallows.
Brian Lard, Cheung Chau
What do you think of the city's quality of life?
 I refer to the report ('City lags in survey on quality of living,'  April 29).
Our pollution is several times that which the World Health Organisation  says is safe. We are without a serious museum culture or artistic community. People baulk at paying our helpers a basic minimum wage. 
While  banners proclaim smoking to be prohibited in many of our parks, the  footpaths one must take to reach them are often packed with smokers. 
On top of a series of fare increases that have increased the cost of short taxi rides by 20 per cent in two years, drivers now assume they can take an extra 50 cents if the metered fare is not a whole-dollar amount. 
Landlords are allowed to add in a ridiculous amount of public space when quoting the size of a flat. According to this newspaper, supermarkets tell us an item is on sale even though they have just marked up the price. 
What little grass that grows in this city is off limits to humans and their pets.
 Hong Kong's last art cinema disappeared years ago. The level of distrust between merchants and customers is so high here that Hong Kong credit card receipt stock is pre-printed with the words 'no refunds'.
Reflecting on this quick, top-of-mind sample of life in Hong Kong, I suspect Mercer's 104.8 quality of life score for the city and its rank of 70 is a bit generous.
Gary Brand, Mid-Levels
What can be done about Hong Kong's waste problem?
 With the increasing amount of waste produced in Hong Kong, we must start learning to cherish what we have.
 Hongkongers seem chiefly concerned with money. We should pass laws that limit the amount of rubbish.
 Each family should only be allowed to generate a certain amount of rubbish. If they go over their quota, they should be fined. There should be refuse control points at housing estates, where checks can be made to see if families have stuck to their quota. People could be appointed to undertake these checks and this would create jobs.
 Education is very important.
Schools must teach children about the need to protect the environment. The problem is that it is so easy to throw something away. It is sometimes even cheaper to do so than to get it repaired.
 We must change our environmentally unfriendly habits.
Cherry Poon Cheuk-ying, Kwai Ching
On other matters...
 Over the last few years, Hong Kong has witnessed a number of accidents involving buses, some of them fatal.
 Therefore, I do not understand why our buses are not equipped with seat belts. Many are old and dirty, and yet the companies  can afford these high-end monitors so they can play their RoadShow programmes, which are interspersed with several adverts. These ads bring substantial amounts of revenue to bus companies like Citybus, which I use to commute to school. 
Some of this money should be used to fit seat belts on buses. 
It is an investment in the future safety of Hongkongers. If fitting seat belts on all buses results in one life being saved, then it will have been worth the investment. 
Robert Lee, Tuen Mun
 Your report ('HK consumers found to be pickiest in Asia,' April 30) describes how a Reader's Digest  Trusted Brands Survey  has found that Hong Kong respondents were the least satisfied with customer services out of eight countries in Asia.
 Would not an equally valid conclusion and supporting headline have been 'Hong Kong service standards found to be lowest in Asia'?
James Watkins, Sai Kung
 With reference to the letter from Sue Burgess (Talkback, April 29), I was also angry that the Australia Network   is to be converted to a pay channel. 
I asked Now TV  if, since I had  asked for the channel when signing up,  this was not a breach of contract. I was told that since the channel was free, it was not part of the contract.
 However, what made me really angry was that my Australia Network channel was switched off on April 24, despite a message on the  television screen saying the free service would end on May 11.
After a long discussion with a customer service operator, during which he explained  they were switching some people off early, the channel was switched back on, only to be switched off again the next day. After a further long discussion it was switched on again as 'a special favour'.
Is PCCW  trying to set itself up as a study in 'How not to treat customers and/or shareholders'? I-Cable  could be in for a bonanza.
David Johnson, Mid-Levels



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