An evening for a couple at a top class establishment in Gozo turned out to be a total rip-off. For two Campari with orange and two gateaux they were charged e24. Yes that’s right. For the two gateaux they were charged e11 (the price for one whole gateau) while for the drinks they were charged e13, more than a whole bottle of Campari. Is this the way that Gozo establishments treat their Maltese visitors?

This is just one of the examples of overcharging in Gozo. Gozitan establishments take advantage of the presence of so many Maltese to “make up” for their lean moments at other times of the year. But by doing so Gozitans run the risk of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. They should not take advantage of the presence of so many holiday-makers. The authorities – the Gozo Ministry? The Gozo Business Chamber? – would do well to check these things.

The Naxxar local council has done a good job in refurbishing the football pitch that forms part of the recreational area just opposite the council offices. This has however led to some changes that residents have complained about. The pitch used to be kept open for the public at all times of the day in the past, but the opening hours have now been restricted to just between 3pm and 4pm. In summer, this is too hot to play football, and in winter it is just after school hours. Residents who have called this newspaper say that the council should treat them better.

The Mater De Hospital is kept spotlessly clean, and this is thanks to the workers who are regularly seen sweeping and washing floors. Yet there should be some adjustments to the timings. For example, the lifts leading to the car park are cleaned at 8-8.15pm, at a time when most people are leaving the hospital at the end of visiting times. This restricts the use of one of the three lifts that is being cleaned. Perhaps the cleaners should wait until 8.30pm to do the job.

Although there is no comparison with the weeks preceding the election, the amount of paper that is being wasted in promotional material that is simply picked up from letter-boxes and shoved in bins must weigh tonnes. There is too much of it in our letter-boxes every single day.

All dogs in public areas should be put on a leash no matter how big or small the dog is, one reader suggested after reading a letter in The Malta Independent last week, which referred to an incident involving two dogs. This is for the protection of the public and also, if you love the dog, so much for the protection of the dog. In Malta there are too many dogs that are allowed to run loose.

Paceville establishment owners are complaining that the police are enforcing a law that lays down that music has to be turned off at 4am. Well, the police are only doing their job. They were in the wrong when they used to close an eye, perhaps two, when they used to encounter such an abuse. Laws are there to be followed by the people and enforced by the police. If anything, the owners should call for a debate as to whether the time should be extended to, say, 5am.

It always happens when there is a public holiday or a long weekend – ATMs in popular areas run out of money. One understands that bank employees need to take their holidays too, but at the same time banks are there to offer a service too. Wouldn’t it be possible for the banks to come up with an internal roster system to ensure that ATMs are continuously supplied with cash? It is not nice to end up without money and cannot find an ATM which can give you some.