$250,000 when they left Bermuda last weekend.

That was the astonishing sum which creditors believe is owed from the failed Blue Oyster Restaurant at Dockyard.

The Bank of Butterfield has become the first creditor to file a writ at Supreme Court, seeking $111,020.

Other creditors include the Meades' commercial landlord Mr. Tony Smith, the Bank of Bermuda, food wholesaler Butterfield and Co., Viking food and Air Care.

Mr. Smith would like to see the creditors join together and issue a joint writ against the couple.

He also suggested yesterday that they could put a private investigator onto the Meades' so he could serve them with the relevant legal documents.

"I think we would achieve the best results if we combined our efforts,'' said Mr. Smith.

"We shouldn't allow them to get away with this. Promises were made with absolutely no intention of living up to them.'' Mr. Smith will meet with fellow creditor Mr. Jim Butterfield, of Butterfield and Co., on Monday.

Mr. Butterfield said: "I want to do what's right. If they have taken money out of the country which could have been used to pay bills then we would like our pound of flesh.

"I'm not out to ruin him or his family. I will not see their child starve but we shouldn't stand by and let it happen.

"For them to move on and open up a restaurant in another place, as seems to be the case, is not really right.

"They could maybe have done the honourable thing and stayed to address their debts. Situations like this can always be worked out.'' The Meades left with their two-year-old daughter. Mrs. Meade is due to give birth to another child next month.

Creditors want to know what happened to the proceeds of a sale of house contents which the Meades held about a week before flying out of Bermuda last Sunday.

Yesterday, there was still no firm news on the couple's whereabouts. They are believed to be living in the ski resort of Whistler, in British Columbia, Canada, where it is thought they are managing a restaurant.

The Whistler Chamber of Commerce and the local newspaper, The Whistler Citizen, said yesterday they had not heard of the Meades. They are to make inquiries.

Whistler is a community of about 5,000 people, with many restaurants scattered about the town catering for skiers and locals alike. The nearest large city is Vancouver.

While Bermuda was basking in the mid-80s yesterday, Whistler was shivering in temperatures of 50 degrees.

Even if the Meades are found, there is very little creditors can do to regain their money.

Extradition proceedings can only be carried out if criminal charges have been brought.

Bill and Wendy Meade in happier times.