Page 176 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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There have boon no changes in the Sunni court although there is a certain
amount of public discontent at the dilatoriness of the court in completing cases and
at the lack of judicial knowledge displayed by the Kadis who are old men without
modern education.
Complaints about the Shia Kadis increased during the year and owing to the
inefficiency of the court and the allegations which wore made against the rectitude of
the Kadis the Government instituted various reforms. One of the Kadis, Shaikh Ali
bin Jafer, was dismissed from his post and Shaikh Mohamed Ali was appointed in his
place and an experienced Kadi, Shaikh Abdul Hussain al Belli, was obtained from
Iraq and appointed as appeal Kadi.
This arrangement has put an end to the general criticism of the Shia Shera
court although there are still intrigues and quarrels between the factions supporting
the various Kadis and ex Kadis which affect the impartial administration of justice.
This condition however has existed in Bahrain for many years and will continue as
long as the Shia Kadis function.
At the end of the year the Govenraent appointed by proclamation a number
of local Shia Ulema from different districts of Bahrain as authorised persons to
perform marriages and divorces. In the past such authorization was granted by the
Kadis and was the cause of some complaint. The new arrangement gave satisfaction
to the Shia community.

Municipalities.

Revenue 1,12,500
Expenditure 1,05,200

Manama. In addition to the routine work of town cleaning and upkeep of
roads in the municipal area the Manama Municipality carried out the following works
and improvements:—
1. A new road was built running east and west through the main bazaar from
the vegetable market to Barrett Street. This is now an important road and con­
nects two parts of the bazaar which were previously not connected by a direct motor
road. A number of shops were demolished or reduced in order to make the road
possible.
2. A road was built from the Jufair road to the eastern sea shore passing in
front of the Palace.

3. A road was built from the western end of the Sea Road to the new
hospital at Is aim.
4. Various roads were resurfaced with mud and a section of the Sea Road
from the Customs Square to the Bank was metalled. This work, which was an
experiment, w?as carried out with the aid of the new road roller and tar equipment.
The werk was incomplete at the end of the year.
5. Five hundred trees were planted along the sides of the town roads and on
the Jnfair Road. Most of the trees are casuarinas but local trees were also used.
6. A building was constructed at the Power House to contain the new ice
plant.
7. Another portion of the water logged land on the south of the town was
reclaimed. Standing water in the town and in gardens adjacent to the town and
behind the Fort was oiled in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Special
spraying pumps were used for this work.
8. An artesian well was sunk in the middle of the bazaar to provide water
for the public and for use by the fire brigade in case of a fire. Previously there was
no accessible water supply in this area.