Saltwater Creek garage

For the past 16 years, I have been passing by an old 1950s-style service station at Saltwater Creek, on State Highway 1, between Leithfield and Waikuku in North Canterbury, attracted by the fact that the owner was slowly restoring it. Many readers may recall this old garage, because of the large sign on the face board of the front veranda reading in large letters, “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD”, and in black plastic block letters, “SALTWATER CREEK GARAGE”. Over the years, it has become an icon of the North Canterbury district. It’s been closed for at least 25 years, and the current owner, Mr Mervyn Croat, purchased it 23 years ago, from Mr Barry Giles, who had operated it as a motor workshop and service station for 30 years. Mervyn wishes to repaint the building in the correct authentic colours of the time, but does not know what oil company his service station operated under. This was in the days when ‘service station’ was an appropriate name, as you did actually get service! When completed, this could become a real tourist attraction, if done authentically. Shades of Route 66 maybe? Can any readers help with memories, stories, or photos of the olde Saltwater Creek Garage in its heyday? Maybe you have some old service station–related articles you would like to donate? Mervyn can be contacted by the following methods: post to owner/ restorer at 1850 Main North Road, Sefton, North Canterbury, or 027 37 95 653, or email me at stancar_nzcc@hotmail.com. All articles, info, and photos would be greatly appreciated. Trevor Stanley-joblin, Canterbury There are still plenty of these old garages sitting, mostly derelict, around the country. Let’s hope this one can be brought back to life. AFW