Page 637 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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(vi) Living and recreational facilities were considerably improved during
(be year.
(vii) During the early part of the year negotiations for the Unallotted Area
continued between the Bahrain Government and the Bahrain Petroleum Com­
pany Limited and Petroleum Concessions, Limited. After a careful considera­
tion oi' the oilers made by both Companies, His Highness the Shaikh of Bahrain,
announced his intention of granting a concession for the whole area, subject to
the approval of His Majesty’s Government, to the Bahrain Petroleum Com­
pany.
7. Agriculture.—The long overdue report from the agricultural expert lent
to the Bahrain Government by the Government of India was received in August,
and proved to be almost entirely valueless.
Captain A. C. Byard, the Assistant to the Adviser, was put in charge of the
experimental garden at Budeya where green vegetable crops, potatoes, wheat,
barley, sugar cane and lucerne are being grown with some success. Date disease
was prevalent in gardens on the south-east ooast.
8. Oust avis.—The customs revenue amounted to Rs. 10,56,532 during the
year as compared with Rs. 11,58,547 during 1938. The full in total receipts was
due solely to the drop in transit duty on shipments to the mainland, which
amounted to Ks. 1,03,650 as compared with Rs. 2,19,942 in the previous year.
This results from the opening of a port at lias Tanura and the consequent
direct shipment of machinery to the California Arabian Standard Oil Com­
pany.
9. Municipalities.—Manama.—Useful public works were carried out by the
Municipality including the construction of drains, (he partial filling in of swamp
on the South of Manama, the building of a new road^and some metalling. The
Municipality contributed also to anti-malarial measures by oiling and draining
stagnant water and irrigation ditches and drains in gardens.
Mitharraq.—The sea road from Muhnrraq pier to Busaitin was completed
and a double line of shops was built on ground reclaimed near the pier.
10. Public Works.—The extension of the Manama Customs pier to reach
deep water and a new Passport Office were completed, while both ends of the
Manama-Mulmrraq causeway were extended preparatory to the installation of
a swing bridge. The State Dispensary was completed, a new Rifle Range coiis-
tructed and new garages for the Transport Department were erected.
Among important works in progress at the close of the year were hospitals
for both men and women (the latter approaching completion), the extension of
Ihe Technical School and the erection of a Tower and a -wall in the Fort. The
contractors for the swing-bridge to complete the Manama-Muliarraq causeway
were also making good progress in spite of difficulties in obtaining materials
ns the result of the outbreak of war.
11. Electric Department.—A new H. T. transformer station was erected
and equipped at Nu’aim, Manama, during 1939 to deal with the increased load
in that urea.
22 air conditioning units were in service during the summer season of
1939—and more have been ordered to meet the demand in 1940.
The revenue of this Department amounted (in round figures) to Rs. 1,19,000
ns compared with Rs. 1,03,000 during 1938.
Public demand having exceeded the potential supply of the Municipal ice
plant permission was given to a local merchant, Hussain Yateem, to install an
ice plant for the manufacture and sale of ice.
In spite of improvements made the electric supply is still far from satis­
factory and rates for lighting are much too high.
12. Education.'’—1The following schools wore in existence at the end of
1939 :—
Boys' Schools. Teachers. Students.
Manama 11 398
Muharraq 9 342
Hedd
Suk al Khaims
Budo.ya .. 13 582
Sifcra
Technical School 3 17