Page 381 - Records of Bahrain (7) (i)_Neat

Annual review, 1959 367
CONFIDENTIAL
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19. Tho Ruler huo Informed the Political Agent of the
Government's nood for more revenue, duo to expenditure
increasing more rapidly than oil production, und has pro-
poood the taxation of banko and perhaps foreign eompanieo
generally. Discussloriu on this head continue.
20. The former Indian currency and bank-notes circulating
in the Gulf v/ere changed for a new icouo in May und June,
with Dahrain aa the centre of the operation*
21. A new women's hospital (214 beds) was opened in April
und in Novomber the Ruler made his firot public appearance
after his illness to lay the foundation stone of the new
airport terminal building, the contract for the construction
of which, at a cost of over £250,000, had been awarded to the
Gulf Construction Company Limited. The new power-otation,
also inaugurated in April, proved such u success that the
Bahrain Government was able to reduce its charges for
electricity, the network of which now reaches almost every
village in the island.

('{■( .» t .( - t A.
(E.P. Wiltshire)
H.M. Political Agent

The Agency
Bahrain.
December 31# 1959*

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CONFIDENTIAL