Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 22, 7 November 1944, Page 4

Local and General

LunSr Planting The following dates for "sowing by the moon" were recently supplied by a reader to a southern paper: For for above-surface crops ? November 22, 23, 24 _ 27, 28; for roots November 1 18 19 20; for 9 * December for above-surface crops, December 20 i? 21, 24, 25, 30; for roots December 15 a 16^*17, Thy Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross most prized of all British gallantry was instituted by Queen Victoria on January 29, 1856 during the Crimean War. Ever since all Victoria Crosses have been forged from the metal of captured Russian guns. Though it was stated two years ago that this source had been exhausted, it has now been ascertained that 50 lbs of gunmetal is still untouched. Already some 1300 VC's have been awarded, nearly 100 in this war # and enough metal remains to make 800 more; each Cross weighs nearly one ounce. Speedier Communication Air mail letter cards which have J been in regular use for several weeks have established more rapid communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom the Middle East the Mediterranean zone and South Africa than has been possible by means of the popular airgraph service.. The saving of time to each destination is several days, and the average time required for transit has been reduced to 13 days to the United Kingdom, ten days to the Middle East, and the. Mediterranean and 15 days to South Africa. National' War Savings Last week 244 towns attained their quotas of National War Savings. Seventeen of the principal centres were successful and 'in each of the 18 postal districts the full district quota was obtained. In the Greymouth Oamaru and Westport districts all places again recorded their individual quotas. As a result of the. impetus gained during the victory loan campaign, the number of towns throughout the Dominion which have already recorded their full annual quotas of National War Savings has been considerably increased. In some instances treble! the amount of the anriual quota has been recorded.