Congratulations to Geoff Lawson for such a fine article (“Other sports bear the weight of dead rubbers. Test matches lift cricket”, January 4). Your old English teacher, the late Stan Dasey (himself a top spin bowler in Wagga), would have been proud of your literary talent in explaining what any Test cricket match means to cricketers and cricket lovers. Your use of Banjo Paterson is only equal to your own nickname of “Henry”, and your final sentences “Other sports have ‘dead rubbers’. Cricket has Test matches” are a classic. I well remember you and Stephen Kiddle as young boys pestering me to play in our local one team side in the Ashmont suburb of Wagga. Happy days. Ken Pares, Forster
First world problems
Reading Parnell Palme McGuinness’ column made me wonder just how many of us fully appreciate how blessed we are to call Australia home (“Sustain the values that make us great”, January 4). Sadly, human nature is such that sometimes we need to lose something, before we appreciate what we had. The parlous state of America under Donald Trump is a prime example. We can prevent that from happening here. However, it will require strong leadership from those in powerful positions. Meanwhile, we can do our bit, by having more respect and tolerance for one another.
Graham Lum, North Rocks
Parnell Palme McGuinness neglected to mention another concern for our liberal democracy – an SUV without a coffee cupholder. A major first world problem. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill
After reading Parnell Palme McGuinness’ piece, who needs a royal commission? Claudia Drevikovsky, Croydon
Dollars over dialogue
Pubs and restaurants know what they are doing when they crank up the volume and erase audibility (Letters, January 4). Conversation is sacrificed, not by accident but design. When people can no longer talk, they often drink more – at greater personal cost but profit to the host – to numb the irritation and strain of shouting across a table. This is sold as “atmosphere”. In reality, it is a business model that excludes anyone who values human conversation over forced consumption. Small wonder a growing number of diners are simply staying away. Vivien Clark-Ferraino, Duckmaloi
Don’t pay the ferry man
Due to the anticipated wait for the ferry service to and from the new Fish Market (“Fish Market ferry delayed a year”, January 4), punters will have to get there by other means. But given that there is now a light rail stop called “Fish Market”, what will that stop be called when the fish market is up the road, and commuters might find it easier getting off at Wentworth Park? Will it be “Old Fish Market”, “Wentworth Park North”, or something else? Margot Pope, Lewisham
Why a ferry for the Fish Market? It’s an easy 20-minute walk from Barangaroo to the new market. No need for intrusive new pontoons and ferry traffic that further compromise rowers and other water sports. The light rail will serve the non-walkers. If tourists want a harbour trip, they can take the ferry to Manly. Richard Spencer, Glebe
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