As far as the wedding was concerned, although made a Duke, Harry was not made a Knight of the Garter nor promoted from Knight Commander to Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victorian Order the cross he wore on his left side. 

The whole House of Windsor was there and Royal spotting was fun – even Fergie got an invite. By the attention given on TV to David Beckham and Elton John and their partners you would think they were royal. 

I am glad it is over after months of build up. I was worried the American Bishop was going to knock the candles off the lectern during his sermon. 

I doubt if the many who lined the streets of Windsor got than a fleeting glimpse of the couple if that as the procession moved very quickly. 

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.

CONSIDERING shelter to be a necessity of survival, it may be an ideal opportunity to reflect upon the issue of homelessness.

The state of homelessness has many and varied reasons, including the result of inadequate mental health care, alcohol and/or drug addiction, death of a spouse, and domestic violence, to name just a few possibilities.

The forthcoming chief executive officer and community leaders sleepout, may be a well-meaning “one night stand”, but possibly encompasses a juxtaposition of convenient amnesia, where government leaders deny the most vulnerable, especially children, access to a warm and safe home, (which incidentally if obtained, increases health and educational attainment, and a participatory societal dignity), with budgetary neglect and a ubiquitous “blame the victim” defence.

A civilised society can, and must be judged by the very way it treats the most vulnerable, with governmental decisions a key determinant of what defines civility.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

CALL me old-fashioned, but I recall churches being open at all times of the day.

If one was tired and needed to rest, their doors were open. It was always a place to go to if one needed solace and a friendly face to talk to.

I see the selling of some of these wonderful buildings being more important than the people that need them.

Money has now replaced the need for solace to our souls and wellbeing. The priests and parishioners will have to find an alternative place for healing for all.

Perhaps the soup kitchens? Or do they not exist anymore? Robbery of the collection plates have made a lot of churches lock their doors. We do not even have the liberty anymore just to walk into a landmark church even if just to admire and feel in awe of the beauty it invokes to our souls.

So let us close and sell the only places we used to feel safe in, all for that disgusting saying “show me the money”  and let the masses go elsewhere.

Felicity O’Neill, Deloraine.

IN RELATION to yet another school shooting in America, I agree with Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's comments stating that it was not only insufficient gun laws to blame, but a culture of violence in which he pointed the finger directly at video games. 

I say, he may be on to something there, for many so called 'games' are heinous in their depiction of extreme violence using a variety of weapons, and many young people spend hours on them doing so. 

According to a US psychologists’ report, 97 per cent of teenagers view video games, and 85 per cent of those games are violent - now that's cause for  stricter controls on video games, wouldn't you think?    

Robert Lee, Summerhill.

WHO in a right mind would not save this rail line? Started to be built in 1882 and opened in 1911, it was last used 2002.

It is now 2018 that is more than 100 years old, so is heritage listed to the North-East of the state of Tasmania.

There are approximately 350 volunteer members of the North-East Railway Club.

The line goes through Lalla Rhododendron Park, Lilydale township, Lilydale water falls, then tunnels through the hill onto Lebrina and down to Dennison Gorge, then onto the Lavender farm and onto Scottsdale.

Tourism at its best. Why would you not want to save it?

No more bike tracks at the moment.

Ken Pinner, Port Sorell.

IN HIS opinion piece (The Examiner, May 19) Rob Inglis’ claims that “things seem to be going backwards” with regards to the Liberal Party and female representation. 

This is wrong. For example, just last week, a female in Jane Howlett was elected to the Legislative Council seat of Prosser. 

At the recent state election, over 50 per cent of the new candidates were women. 

Following that election and that of Ms Howlett, there are now six women in the State PLP - that’s 40 per cent of the total.  All, without quotas. 

Sure, there’s more work to do to encourage women into the Liberal Party, especially at Federal level, but real progress is being made.

Senator Jonathon Duniam, Liberal senator for Tasmania.

HEARING the horrific act of the dumping of pups in a rubbish bin at Carrick was one of the most barbaric acts I have witnessed.

Those people would have tonbe the lowest of low.

They are no different to every politician that allows live export.

I’ve always believed that farmers have the welfare of their animals before monetary gain, but some of them are no different than the politicians.

At the next election my vote will go to anyone who bans live export.

Andrew Barwick, Legana.