Page 260 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat
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A kitchen, large enough for the needs of the Police and a mess hall and a
canteen were built inside the Fort. Previously the men had no proper place in
whioh to eat their meals and it was impossible to prevent food being left lying about
in the barrack rooms.
The parade ground was enclosed by a strong wire fence which was purchased
from the Bahrain Petroleum Company. Only a small portion of the old walls of
the fort now remains. The building has been so much enlarged, heightened and
strengthened that its original occupants would hardly recognise it.
E. Government Schools. The Technical School was enlarged by the addition
of another room at the west end of the building and a walled yard was added.
Various alterations were made in the Manaraah Boys’ School, including the
addition of two new rooms on each side of the main entrance. Classrooms were
whitewashed and ceilings were painted white, and a number of new windows were
put into existing classrooms.
The proposed school at Naim was not proceeded with. The religious school
continues to function in a hired building.
F. Transport Building. Two large new garages were built on the north of
the existing building. There is now accomodation for 6 cars and lorries. A ramp
was constructed outside the garage on which cars can be examined. Two small
flats were constructed above the garageB, each containing two rooms and bathroom
and kitchen, for the accomodation of garage and power house staff.
G. Passport Office and Post Office. A new Passport Office consisting of one
large office 24 x 24 feet, a small office, record room and verandah was built on to the
western end of the Custom House. The Passport Office resembles the Custom
House in style of architecture and it has improved the appearance of the Customs
square.
The old Passport Office and former Police Station, with the large room on
the first floor, was converted into a Post Office. The ground floor rooms are used
for postal purposes and the first floor was made into living quarters for the Post
master. The new building provides ample space for the postal work and is centrally
situated. The Government telephone exchange is in the same building on the first
floor. It was enlarged and provided with a separate staircase.
H. Manamah Palace, New entrance stairs. (See illustration, opposite).
A handsome flight of stone steps leading from the ground to the central
archway of the first floor verandah was built at the Palace. The steps are tiled
with locally-made tiles and have carved teakwood railings. A steel expanding
door was fitted into the archway and the second staircase was fitted with a wooden door
so that the whole first floor can be locked. The steps have greatly improved
the appearance of the building and have made it possible for visitors to make a
dignified entry without any danger of hitting their heads on the cross bar. This
frequently happened on the old staircase.
Haw&r Mosque. A small mosque was built in the northern village at Hawar
Island. It is used by the local Arabs and the garrison of the Fort. Some altera
tions were made to the Fort and a verandah was built outside the barrack room
in the courtyard.
3. Works not provided for in 1358 budget.
, A. Rifle Range. The existing rifle range, which is close to the Fort, was
found unsuitable for work with the new Vicker8 Berthier machine-guns. This
range has gardens on each side and faces an inlet of the sea where boats frequently
pass. On. the recommendation of the special officer who assisted in training the
first Machine-Gun Section a new rifle range was built near the old road leading to
Sakhir, about ten miles from Manamah. It appeared that this was the nearest
suitable place. The rifle range is in a valley surrounded by high ground and there
is a cliff behind the butts. A range of 900 yards was obtained over flat ground