Page 247 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Municipalities.
Manama Municipality.
Revenue ... Rs, 1,04,644.
Expenditure ... „ 95,133.
1. Anti-Malaria Measures.
The municipal authorities, under the Secretary, Mohamed Saleh, did much
valuable work in assisting the prosecution of the anti-malaria corapaign both by
propaganda, by distributing oil, and by allocating Rs. 8,000 from the municipal funds
which had been set aside for medical work towards filling in the swamp on the
south west of Manama near the Wireless Station. The Municipality constructed,
on behalf of the Government, a drain from the Palace Garden to the sea which
removed much of the standing water in that area.

2. Widening and Constructing town roads.
The important road connecting the fruit and vegetable markets with Barrett
• Road was completed and is in use, and in various other parts of the bazaar streets
were widened by demolishing buildings or reducing their depth. Nine shops were
removed, 23 shops and 14 houses had their frontages reduced in order to widen
streets, and 14 new shops were built and given, as compensation, to owners whose
property had been affected. Public opinion regarding widening streets has changed
in the last few years. In the past it was usually strongly opposod by the owners of
property but to-day landlords willingly submit to losing several feet from the frontage
of their shops in order that the streets where shops are situated should be made wide
enough for motor traflio.
3. New Road.
A new road was made from the western end of the Sea Road to the Govern­
ment Hospital. Part of a garden and a boat yard were acquired in exohange for a
narrow 6trip of land in order that the new road should be straight.

4. Water Cart.
The Municipality purchased a new water cart combined with fire engine with
a capacity of 500 gallons which is always ready for service, day or night.

5. Road Metalling.
The work of metalling the Customs Square and the road from the square to
Municipal Road was completed. The result, as far as it can be judged, was
satisfactory but the cost was high : it worked out at approximately Rs. 0—4—0 per
square foot. The Municipality was given a special grant for this experiment.
6. Lease of Markets.
The Municipality leased from His Highness Shaikh Hamad the vegetable and
fruit bazaars and the open market, shops and stalls etc., which were previously let to
private contractors. By doing this the Municipality obtained more authority over
the markets which can be kept cleaner than before .
7. Swamp Reclamation.
The work of filling the swampy ground behind the Arabian Mission was
continued : 72,000 square feet of stone were used for this purpose.
8. Miscellaneous.
During the year large numbers of trees were planted along the main roads of
the town including oasuarinas and a species of fious. Twelve additional street lamps
were installed and two new tanks, fitted with taps, were built. Town rubbish waa
use for filling in areas of water, belonging to the Municipality, between the Sea
Road and Prior Road.