FRIDAY THE 20th

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 31, 20 March 1942, Page 5

FRIDAY THE 20th

BEST DAY OF MONTH

BUTTEIIFAT MONEY CIRCULATES

Friday will be the 20th of March, the best day of the month in the opinion of hundreds o>f Bay of Plenty farmers who will receive cheques V rom their dairy companies. The week that follows the 20th of the month is always a boom week for business in Whakatane. Doubtless the next few days will see the Strand well filled with cars, as the country people- use up a good deal of their benzine allowance in malting business trips to town to spend their hard-earned butterl'at money. Of course, farmers complain that they never see any money. It just (lies past them as it passes from the dairy company to the various business people whose accounts thej have to pay on the 20th of the month. Certainly the Whakatane banks have a hectic week following every 20th oi the month, foi the flood of cheques written otit by farmers come to' the banks in the loim of lodgements by business people. There is also a steady flow of people with cheques, for farm wages and spending money presenting their bits of paper and pocketing notes and silver. When the banks shut their doors there is a lot of work left for the staffs to do. February's 28 days were hardworking days for farmers and their families in the Whakatane County's extensive dairying districts. Dry weather diminished the butterl'at somewhat, but there will be a substantial sum paid out on Friday to reward ever so many farmers for extracting milk o(> times during the month. A month ago there was also a big payout by the dairy companies, but alas it was tax-paying month, ami a good slice of what the farmers received eventually found its way over the Whakatane Post Office counter and into the coffers of the State. And now that taxes- have been paid there are still the rates to pay Doubtless many farmers will write cut substantial cheques in payment of their Whakatane County rates before the 24th, after which the. 10 per cent penalty on unpaid rates will be imposed. But in spite of rates and taxes there is sure to be a bit of ready cash left to lubricate the channels of trade in Whakatane during the next few' days. What a pity there Is not a "20th" each week!