Skybus gains $240 from Chch members

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 6

Skybus gains $240 from Chch members

Christchurch members of Skybus contributed about $240 last evening after an appeal by the secretarytreasurer, Mr Brian Shackleton. Mr Shackleton, the chairman of the board (Mr David Culham) and the other director (Mr Charlie Parsons) were addressing an informal gathering of Christchurch members. Mr Shackleton told members that the society owed $204,500 to creditors and had $7OOO cash on hand until the end of March. He said that creditors would expect the money to be paid by March 31. Addressing the fifth in a series of meetings with members, Mr Shackleton said that he had been asked ; by members in other centres to take some action about members who had riot paid the full amount of their membership. .;-//<<: Mr Shackleton said there were between 12,000 and' 15,000 life members, of whom about 3000 were not fully paid up. By the end of last evening’s meeting, which was attended by about 55 members, many had left early after giving assurances they would pledge money to assist the society. Many of those still

present at the end of the meeting gave cash. Mr Shackleton said the money .would be placed in a trust fund. If there was not sufficient raised by March 31 to pay off all the creditors, the money would be used for other purposes, to be determined by the members. “We need at least $204,000 if we are to have our own destiny in our own hands,” Mr Shackleton said. A newsletter is being sent out to all society members next week, asking’ those with family membership to pay their subscriptions. Mr Shackleton said these members would have to accept the. fact that the subscription was now due. The chairman, of the board, ; Mr. .David .Culham,. said that he. was riot going round the country holding out a hat —. he was just putting the situation before members and -asking for their assistance. When board members discussed international travel concessions C available to members, some complained . .that , they; \had joined the society for.<the benefits it would bring'-them in domestic travel? ’ ?£ '• Mr Shackleton said that surveys conducted by the society showed that 85' per cent of members had Joined

for international travel benefits/ ■ . ’ , Mr Shackleton said , that two or three airlines and) at least three international travel firms had approached the society and indicated they were prepared to discuss benefits for members overseas. “Some would be unique to us and some revolutionary, but while we are insolvent we can’t enter into con-, tracts,” he said. The society had also discussed franchising a motel chain within New Zealand. Many of the members were not aware of benefits available to them, Mr Shackleton said. Communication has been one of the biggest problems of the society.