On the basis of my experience I am led to believe some driving examiners deliberately trap learner drivers on their driving test by taking them to obscure school zones to fail them.

That happened in my case. I was OK at a school zone with the flashing lights at the beginning of the test. After taking me through a maze of turns, the examiner took me some 35 minutes later to an obscure school zone at 4.15pm with not a soul on the road and pointed out I was over the speed limit at a school zone.

I don't know whether this is just a money maker or merely betrays the mentality of some examiners.

There should be uniformity in the identification of school zones.

Rajend Naidu, Sydney

It is worth emphasising twice that master plans are meant to guide suburban developments (Letters, February 10 and February 11). The dereliction of the Woden town centre is only one example of approving a master plan, but where "implementation has lagged" ("Town tired, neglected, not dead", February 11, p20).

In Curtin, we do not even have an approved master plan, yet demolition has started on a contentious development where the last application was rejected ("Curtin shops fenced off as stalemate continues over high-rise redevelopment plan", January 11, p8). Part of the surrounding fencing is on public footpaths, disrupting the free movement of the residents.

So do draft master plans mean anything to actual planning decisions? Over to you, Mr Gentleman.

Peter Graves, Curtin

In his otherwise interesting article regarding American boasting, Ian Warden states that "Davy Crockett made a boastful speech of his capabilities to Congress in 1857".

Mr Warden must have been out of the room when history was being taught – it's totally impossible for Davy Crockett to have made a speech to Congress in 1857 – he was killed at the Alamo in 1836, along with another 184 or so other men.

John Burns, Hall

Interesting seeing the magazine Tasmanian Travelways enclosed in the Sunday Canberra Times (February 11), extolling all the virtues of visiting Tasmania. It would be very interesting to know the cost of this addition to the paper.

Admittingly it was mainly to do with travelling around Tasmania but there were many ads regarding attractions as well.

Even so, l looked through the magazine twice and was unable to find any reference whatsoever to MONA. MONA has been a big asset for Tassie so the lack of any reference to it at all indicates what the Tasmanian bureaucracy thinks of it! And nothing about the excellent cruises offered by the tall sailing ships in Constitution Dock.

Geoff Barker, Flynn

In addition to his admirable humility and remarkable ability to match it with the world's best, what was so refreshing in listening to Australian flag bearer Scotty James's post-Winter Olympics bronze medal performance, were his consistent affirmations regarding his love for Australia and pride to represent us in South Korea.

In this age of toxic identity politics and virtue signalling, we are not short of various sporting and musical celebrities who are quick to declare their sense of shame about our culture, colonial history or monarchical system of governance, and prone to chastise us for supposedly being racist, sexist or guilty of a whole manner of other civil misdemeanours.

At the end of the day, such gesturing only appeals to the perpetually outraged brigade.

What resonates with the mainstream is someone who actually considered it an honour to lead our athletes at the opening ceremony, and then uses the medal platform as an opportunity to praise others and his country.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

I don't understand all the kerfuffle about Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, a Christian man who has erred. But in fairness let's examine the error. Given society's direction over the last 40 years or more towards a dominant secular society, a man, no matter what his status, leaving his wife for another woman must rank very low indeed on the scale of personal and social morality.

I would suggest that aside from those who are religious or otherwise attempt to hold high ethical standards, very few could criticise or condemn the Deputy Prime Minister for leaving his wife without at least noting the sign: caution, hypocrisy ahead.

After all, today's people have created today's society and its standards.

Colliss Parrett, Barton

Social housing tenants of Haringey are faced with the typical challenge of a rent-seeking, profit-taking, global corporation trawling the globe for opportunistic "business" prospects. Developers would be reticent to challenge residents of Kensington, Chelsea, City of Westminster or Camden Boroughs to their right to live in an area, or dare suggest erecting a sun-obstructing edifice which might intrude on their ancient right to light (Prescription Act, 1832).

Haringey is one of Britain's most deprived areas, where local authorities, ably assisted by corporate "partners", feel they've carte blanche to trample basic human right to housing by implementing social engineering schemes, for profit.

Less fortunate residents of Haringey must ponder Theresa May's first statements as PM: "The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few ..." and "... to make Britain a country that works for everyone". Fine words indeed, but while duck houses, moats and roof repairs have disappeared from MP expense accounts, there's little suggestion that the plight of the poor, or homeless, have taken precedence, despite their leader's aspirations.

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan

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