I FIND it curious that the term 'snake oil' when used once by 'a person of authority' and repeated a few times by The Straits Times should cause so much heat.

I ALWAYS look forward to listening to the yearly National Day Parade (NDP) songs. But in recent years, it feels as if there are only a few local singers given the honour of singing these songs.

I REFER to the letter 'Tug of danger in secondary school' (March 15). I have noticed many instances when our children are left in the hands of supposedly experienced staff only to discover unnecessary and avoidable accidents happening. The ones who suffer are the families.

I AGREE with Madam Lynda Kiong Chiew Min in her letter 'Right diet: Schools, parents must play their part' (March 20). When I ask my daughter about her meals in the school canteen, she invariably names the usual suspects: laksa, nasi lemak, burgers with fries and the like, all downed with copious amounts of sugary drinks. Needless to say, these are also the favourite foods of her classmates.

I REFER to yesterday's report '$50 notes with KF mark: Defaced bills command no value'. There is an anomaly where Mr G.S. Lee was told by OCBC that there was no problem with notes defaced with the letters KF. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) asserts in antithesis that notes with such markings are considered deliberate mutilation and command no value.

DESPITE the law requiring Malaysian confinement nannies working in Singapore to have a temporary work permit, there are still many Malaysian confinement nannies working here on social visit passes.

I REFER to the letter by Ms Low Gek Neo 'Beat this: $16 for 3-hour parking at St Regis' (March 13). The carpark in The St Regis Singapore is operated by CBM Parking, which is solely responsible for parking charges. These parking charges are, however, comparable to those of other five-star hotels in Singapore, particularly those in prime locations. For all guests who stay overnight, The St Regis Singapore offers parking coupons (one per room) that waive all parking charges.

Perhaps the Housing Board should consider installing CCTVs in carparks.

I WAS apprehensive when I read the article that Curtin University is setting up a campus here in Singapore, 'Curtin Uni to set up campus here' (March 26). I am sure Singaporeans have not forgotten the debacle surrounding the demise of the University of New South Wales last year. It was a bitter pill for many to swallow.

I WAS shocked when I went to the Budget Terminal to fetch my friend from the Philippines some time ago and can share the sentiments expressed by Mr Tan Teck Wei, 'Basic service standards missing at Budget hub' (March 21). When I stepped into the arrival hall, I thought I was in an airport in a remote part of Asia.

I REFER to the article by Miss Andre Oei on Youthink on Monday, 'Bonded or broken? / A taste of drought', and her comments on the scholarship and the bond. There is a notable trend that more scholars prefer to work overseas after their graduation because of higher salary and, if given a chance to break the bond, it is quite unlikely that they will come back to serve in Singapore as long as they cannot find a higher paid job in Singapore.

ABOUT two years ago, my mother signed up for a China tour. She had looked forward to the trip with her friends but she was not prepared for what awaited her when she was there.

WE REFER to Mr Shawn Ang's online feedback last Thursday, 'Paying the price for faulty power meter'. On Jan 14, an SP Services technician visited Mr Ang's premises and found that his meter disc was faulty, resulting in the under-registering of his electricity consumption. The faulty meter was replaced.