Page 493 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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raeans of an H.T. underground cable to provide an
increased supply for Air Conditioning during 1946*
The length of this cable line is approximately l,3t>u
feet and power will not be available to this new line
until the new generating set, now being erected, comes
into service,

9. TELEPHONE DEPARTMENT,
The Bahrain Government telephone system is
antiquated in the extreme and badly needs replacement.
The scheme for installation of an automatic telephone
exchange has, regrettably, shown little progress due
to various factors, One is the tendency of the landlords
of the few convenient sites to hold out for high ground
rents and Messrs, cable & Wireless Limited's unwillingness
to meet their demands which renders it most unlikely that
an automatic telephone exchange will be in operation in
1946. The fact remains that by the end of the year
Cable & ’.Tireless had not placed the order for the new
exchange much to the detriment of British prestige.
10. PEARL INDUSTRY.
The pearling season was a successful one.
There were about 121 pearling craft out this year. The
catch was better and prices higher than those of the
previous season.
ii. cusroys.
Customs revenue from all sources amounted to
Rs.25,9S,CS3 for the year.

There were 113 launches registered with the
Customs on the 21st December, 1245, including those
belonging to the Navy and the various companies.
12. FCOD CONTROL.

During the year under review the Government
again devoted a considerable amount of time, money and
energy in ensuring that adequate supplies of essential
foodstuffs were available for the public.
in all a sum of Rs. 11,800,000 as compared to
the 1944 figure of Rs.8,000,000 was spent on the purchase
of wheat, millet, rice, tea, sugar, and dates.

The monthly ration per adult was maintained
at a high level throughout the year.
Towards the close of the year the Government
introduced a cloth rationing system, which should pro
prove
successful. The number of retail shops was increased
and rations divided equally amongst them.
... . During the year there was a steady strean of
sYch as P°tatoes> onions, fresh-and dried
walnuts, etc., from Persia, where the good rains
of the previous winter assisted in maintaining a sufficiet*
supply. &

(Continued)