Page 173 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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8. Electric Department

Owing to lighting restrictions caused by the War,
there was not the usual revenue from this source.
The two chief additions to the existing load were

(1) a new high tension lino from Kuharraq town sub-station
to the R.A.F. aerodrome at Muharraq; and (2) a new 400
volt feeder to the old premises of Cable and Wireless
Limited.
The wiring of houses by local contractors continued,
but at a reduced rate, due to the scarcity and high co3t

of wiring material. Approximately 250 points were added
during 1942 as compared with 450 in 1941.
The total number of telephone subscribers at the end
of the year was 93, as compared with 86 during 1941.
9. Pearling Industry

The number of pearling dhows in operation was slightly
larger than in the previous year — 298 as against 222;
but the catch during the 1942 season was not good. Weather
conditions were unfavourable, and the smaller dhows had

to spend much of their time taking shelter against
unusually high winds which swept down the Gulf from time to
time. Good prices were obtained for pearls after the diving
season had been closed for some weeks, but the profits of

nakhodaa and divers were much below average as the greatly
increased cost of foodstuffs added enormously to the
expense of provisioning the fleet. Generally epeaking the
pearling season was poor but not as bad as that of 1940.
Advances to divers were as followsi-
Dlver Puller
Te8qaam fc. 30
Salaf fe. 30
Kharjeeh fc. 20
fc. 80
10.