We discovered that the meter "actually" read some 900 units lower than ActewAGL's "actual" reading three weeks after that.

Communications with ActewAGL were positive. The helpline accepted our reading. Within a week we received a reminder our original bill was outstanding. The helpline person told me the accounts section refused to accept our reading as the original bill was an "actual" reading.

We then received a bill for five months – which was considerably less than the outstanding amount – so we paid it.

Then commenced a saga of accounts – estimated – that Lewis Carroll could not have improved upon.

After some three months of negotiations and new bills originating in "Wonderland", the manager customer services organised the account as near as correct as could be ascertained, and we are now in credit.

During this time, our meter was read by an ActewAGL reader twice, and twice it was ignored by the accounts section.

I hope the Ombudsman is reading these letters and an inquiry is well under way.

Dave and Maureen Jeffrey, Farrer

Over the last two years we have rescued at least 10 lost and generally frightened dogs in the Belconnen area.

Most were showing absolutely no traffic sense and were obviously not used to being out.

On Saturday we found a panicky staffie dodging traffic at the busy intersection of Southern Cross and Coulter Drives.

None of these dogs had a name tag with contact numbers. Some did have microchips so we took them to a vet for these to be read.

Sometimes the microchip details were not current, so these dogs were destined for the DAS pound. Since we have dogs of our own and can't easily take in a stranger, when the vets have been closed, such as on Sundays and public holidays this has meant an unplanned trip to the RSPCA and now would mean an even longer trip to DAS at Mugga lane.

Dog owners, for the sake of your own peace of mind as well as to help someone who may find your pet, please, please tag your dogs with its name and your phone number.

Rick and Meryl Causebrook, Melba

I was delighted to read that Dennis Richardson, secretary of the Department of Defence since October 18, 2012, has eventually realised Defence's HR problem ("Consultants and contractors now outnumber public servants in Defence Department", canberratimes.com.au, February 20).

There are "between 17,000 and 18,000 contractors, consultants and other 'service providers' at Defence". Public servant numbers are "now down to about 17,200" while "capped at 18,200".

The numbers are deceptive because the full-time-equivalents are calculated in hourly terms, not cash terms. The problem exists across the entire APS.

It is not just a matter of false accounting. It is total politicisation of the APS. It is good that at least one secretary is prepared to be a "mongrel" (his term) and savage the bastards who would destroy the tripartite structure of our Westminster tradition.

Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

I was horrified to read that the author of the article "For scaly mammal, survival a struggle" (Monday Canberra Times, page 11) was, to all appearances, attempting to buy a live Pangolin.

Surely leading anyone to believe you are looking to buy one of these unfortunate creatures is inviting the black marketeers to go and try to catch one to fulfil this wish. "I'll let you know if I get one," the shop owner says.

And then? Saying no is too late by then – the animal is caught and will surely die, one way or the other.

Surely irresponsible journalism at its worst!

E. Nelson, Wright

In his warning of the hazards of carbon monoxide ("Carbon monoxide's danger", February 18, p.2) Doug Dingwall perpetuates the myth the gas is "heavy", the implication being its concentration is likely to persist at low heights. In fact, carbon monoxide is lighter than air, with density 1.16 kg/cubic meter at STP, while air is 1.20. The danger is greater on account of the likely tendency to diffuse in a closed space.

Jack Palmer, Watson

I refer to the letter in The Canberra Times from Thea Fisher titled "Blood on our hands" (letters, February 21). Everyone has choices to make in life and the Australian government can't make that person eat if he/she refuses to eat and we certainly don't want people like that in Australia. To say "all Australians are guilty of murder done in our name" is ridiculous. The Australian government is not guilty of murder. The asylum seeker is definitely guilty of suicide.

Anne Prendergast, Reid

Bernardi's decision to resign from the Liberal Party raises ethical issues.

It is only a matter of months since he was elected on the Liberal Party Senate ticket. Bernardi should resign and seek a mandate for his new position.

Alternatively, electors should mount a case in the High Court to compel Bernardi to return to the Liberal Party caucus in the federal Parliament.

Frank Mines, Nicholls

The ACT government has taken steps to stop shopping trolley "littering".

Simply, this could have been done by imposing a fine on any person caught with a trolley outside a shopping area and associated car park, This apparently was too simple, so instead both the trolley owner and user are to be fined if stray trolleys are found and, in addition, locked trolleys may only be released for use by inserting a refundable $1 or $2 coin.

This assumes, of course, that a harassed mother shopping with a couple of bored children or a disabled person using a trolley in lieu of a walking frame, considers it worthwhile to redeem 0.15 per cent of an average weekly wage after shopping.

Perhaps our government should request the federal government abolish $1 and $2 coins and replace them with $10 and $20 coins of the same size to fit trolley locks ? Australia is headed towards a cashless society; some people are already there.

If a cashless person needs a trolley will they be ordered to break their principles and start carrying cash? Will Australia never become cashless because, if it did, nobody would be able to unlock a trolley?

Perhaps some businesses could boost trade by copying Queensland's idea of "meter maids" to take care of distribution and collection of trolleys?

Alan Blake, Duffy

While the ambulance chasers are rubbing their hands with glee and spruiking their trade, we've been to the multicultural festival.

It's a great event with a huge and hungry crowd, even more stalls and cultures, but also greater risks than from a well managed suburban cafe. Food servers at the festival wearing their silicone to protect us, [and] with the same gloved hands accept our filthy lucre.

Will any ill patrons be able to nominate where they ate, without being prompted by ACT Health: "Did you eat at ...?"

In a system where solicitors know that claims below a known level won't be disputed by insurers because of the costs in doing so the community loses.

Only the ambulance chasers and litigants win.

Fred Barnes, Bruce

It is one of the great mysteries of Canberra on why there is still no ACTION bus service toand from the Canberra airport.

Yet the Barr government is happy to spend billions of ratepayer dollars on light rail.

Unlike the very expensive Mick Gentleman's overseas trip ("Gentleman's light rail trip cost $70,538", February 15, p.8) the ACT government would not need to look far to see good airport public transport services operating in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle.

There is also an excellent private bus service at Melbourne airport.

It is high time that there is ACTION by the ACT government on providing public transport to and from the Canberra Airport terminal for all, including visitors to our city and the disabled.

David Johnston, Ainslie

I sympathise with Sarah Hairlyn from Burra (Letters, February 21) with regard to NBN connection. Residents at Murrumbateman just 15 minutes from Canberra have NBN fibre if you live to the West of the Barton Highway, but SkyMuster if you live to the East. Work that one out?

Ken Helm, Murrumbateman

A couple of weeks ago Manuka Post Office would not give me a small parcel containing printer cartridges unless I produced a picture ID and signed for it.

When I was later able to collect the parcel, it had in large letters on the cover "Signature not required".

The next day I returned a parcel from Woden Post Office to Queensland to exchange an item. The cost of shipping and handling and tracking from Queensland had been $8.90. It cost me $21.65 to send the same parcel back, untracked.

No doubt the $5.6 million man can explain?

C. Williams, Forrest

I am so disgusted and disappointed in the new Transport Canberra travel card. It is either black and white, or black with barely discernible letters "TC" in purple and red.

The present Myway card is very attractive in bright colours of blue, yellow and white.

I would have thought that the new travel card ought to reflect the exciting new Light Rail and transport system by being colourful (for example, half red for the light rail and half blue for the buses) instead of being so colourless and boring. I hope consultants weren't paid a lot to come up with this new uninspiring card.

Angela Plant, Franklin

I was interested to read the article "Budget repair in a bind", Forum, February 18, p.10) by Simon Cowan.

The headline itself made me ask who invented that phrase "budget repair" as though there was something that needed repair rather than balance. Was it Tony Abbott?

I note that the author is Research Manager at the Centre for Independent Studies, but I did not see any evidence of research in the article and certainly no independent thought.

It could have been lifted from the Liberal Party songbook without the drum roll. The article simply repeated what our Treasurer has been peddling for some time without accepting that there are two sides to a balance sheet.

Alan Parkinson, Weetangara

Australia is proposing to buy a fleet of subs for $50 billion-plus, delivery years in the future, using a modern French sub design, but converting it from being nuclear powered to diesel, the equivalent of taking an Airbus A380 and replacing the jets with four piston engines from a Lockheed Constellation.

By the time we get them, (if ever), Indonesia, China, and India will all have nuclear-powered subs.

Australia no longer can refine diesel fuel.

It comes from Singapore, and has to be transported through sea routes controlled by Indonesia and China.

I can see the day, the way our government thinks, we will be the first country in the world to have sail-powered submarines.

Rhys Stanley, Hall NSW

LAKE OFF LIMITS

Thank you for The Canberra Times' ("Lake finds its sparkle", February 21, p. 1) report on lake water quality. During the warmer months Lake Tuggeranong seems to be closed to swimming and windsurfing more often than not. Can government tell us the frequency and duration of openings to all users, closures to primary contact, and closures to all users?

Philip Purcell, Wanniassa

CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE

Mr Turnbull claims responsibility for ANZ lowering interest rates on a couple of its credit cards. Hubris? Delusion? Or does Mr Turnbull just have a quirky sense of humour?

John Galvin, Weston

LIKE MINDS

Tony Abbott and Donald Trump, peas in a pod: good in opposition but lousy in government, constantly blaming the nasty media and always campaigning.

Graeme Rankin, Holder

EVEN THE KIWIS, TOO?

It is bad enough that we are detaining Asians and Africans on Manus Island and Nauru. But New Zealanders (on Christmas Island)? Australia and New Zealand are virtually the same thing.

Michael McCarthy, Deakin

CHILL OUT

Re: Sherrill Nixon ("Cricket manufacturers send appalling message by 'boys' equipment discrimination", February 20, p.14). Tell your child Small Boys Size means Small Child Size and chill out.

Lee Berry, Kambah

SIGN OF THE TIMES

"Is this the best we have to offer?" says Gary Wood (Letters, February 18) referring to the Marriage Equality sign at Canberra Airport. Not only is it the best, it's a wonderful statement about who we are and what we stand for. I propose we make it permanent.

Fred Pilcher, Kaleen

SINKING FEELING

Rex Williams (Letters, February 20) seems to ask what is the point of our new $50 billion submarines. Most submarines are designed to sink or threaten to sink, the ships of another country's navy. In our case, courtesy of the US alliance, that country is likely to be China. I find that a particularly nugatory prospect.

Peter Moran, Watson

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

Cory Bernardi is seeking core values, George Christensen is looking for Christian ethics, Tony Abbott is still missing The Lodge and the Turnbull government is turning on its head to find the right balancing act. Who says that politics is dull?

Sankar Kumar Chatterjee, Evatt

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