These aspects are not new concerns in Tasmania. If we look back to the 1840s, we find early settlers were also concerned to see  26,000 convicts arrive between 1841 and 1850.    In 1842 alone, 2400 free settlers arrived in Tasmania.   As a result, 5 per cent of the free population moved to the mainland. It was calculated that between 14,000 and 16,000 went to the mainland between 1842 and 1846. This no doubt had a great impact on the state’s  economy, remembering that there was no industry around those days to create employment. In spite of this, things improved and the state survived. let’s hope that  we do the same. Survive that is, not leave the state.

SADLY, with my husband now not able to what he once did and being his carer, there are certain things I cannot do. I just feel if you allow me to, to say thank you to my wonderful neighbours Graeme, Rick and Colin, they never hesitate to help if I am not able to do a job my husband would have done. Also to all those  people who give so much to so many you should be proud. Watching the news or reading the newspaper there is always so much bad news, but people like my neighbour's show there are good people in the world.

THANK YOU John Snodgrass (The Examiner, November 25) for pointing out the errors in grammar and spelling in this and other news sources. When the Abbott government removed funding for school chaplains who were non proselytising, that is converting to a religious faith, reporters repeatedly used non-prophesying. As far as I know, none of the chaplains was a prophet. Although correspondents attempted to correct this error, it was repeated more than once. Perhaps reporters are too young nowadays to be familiar with Biblical language.