Geraldine buildings, bridges go

Press, 14 March 1986, Page 1

Geraldine buildings, bridges go

By

DOUGLAS McKECHNIE

in Geraldine

Geraldine yesterday suffered its worst flooding since 1929 but South Canterbury Catchment Board protective works and stopbanks limited damage.

A reinforced concrete footbridge across the Waihi River in Geraldine was washed away when hit by floating willows. Other bridges washed away were Beatties bridge at Hilton and another at Woodside.

Part of the older part of Morrison’s Garage was washed away by the Waihi River. A storage

shed behind the Geraldine Licensing Trust’s Crown Hotel was washed away and the riverbank immediately behind the hotel was badly eroded. The Orari, Waihi, •Te Moana and Kakahu rivers all topped their banks in places, and water poured on to farms and in some cases through houses. Four persons escaped drowning when a light utility truck plunged into the Kakahu River at Hilton near Geraldine yesterday morning after Beatties bridge was washed away. Further pictures, pages 2, 4,5, Rangiora page 3.