Page 357 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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GENERAL REVIEW.
The State completed the second year of the war with a reduction of normal
revenue of about two lakhs. The falling off was principally in oil revenue and
customs receipts but in spite of a smaller income the Reserve Fund was increased
by the addition of approximately fourteen lakhs. During the year the Reserve
Fund was transferred from England, where it had been invested in sterling stock,
to India where it was re-invested in rupee securities. This action was taken on
the advice of the Political Resident. The profit which was made on the transaction
was added to the Reserve Fund and brought up the year's investment to 14 lakhs.
Owing to the war there was a great increase in the cost of living but the
measures which were taken by the Government to control prices of essential
requirements and to prevent profiteering were successful in keeping prices in
Bahrain very much lower than in neighbouring states and countries. The Bahrain
public rarely show appreciation or gratitude for any action taken by the
Government to benefit the people but in this case even the man in the street
appeared to appreciate the Government's rules and restrictions and the only
complaints were from merchants who were prevented from profiting unduly at the
expense of the poor.
In spite of much genuine want among the poorer classes, which was only
partly relieved by an unexpectedly successful diving season, there was no serious
crime though there was an increase in petty thieving. Considering the size of the
population the crime statistics show that the people of Bahrain are an exceptionally
law-abiding community. Much of the credit for this is due to the police, though
they are not highly trained they are effective in preserving law and order which
is their principal duty.

A considerable proportion of the annual expenditure was devoted to social
services, mainly medical and educational. The State now possesses the largest
and best equipped hospital in the Persian Gulf which is full to overflowing both
on the men's side and on the women’s side. In addition to hospital work medical
services have been extended throughout the islands by country clinics and through
anti-malaria work. During an epidemic of small-pox it was possible for the first
tirrfe for the Government to insist upon infected persons being removed from
their homes to the Quarantine station. Propaganda was undertaken, especially
in the schools, in connection with malaria and eye diseases. The majority of the
inhabitants of Bahrain are suffering from trachoma.

Attendance at Boys’ and Girls’ Schools increased and during the year the
large new workshop of the Technical School was opened. Students from other
parts of the Gulf are now being educated in the Bahrain schools. An ambitious
scheme for starting a Gulf College, with financial support from the British Council,
was indefinitely postponed as it seemed impossible to consider it during the war.
The Manamah Muharraq swing bridge, linking the two islands and the two
chief towns in Bahrain, was finally completed at the end of the year. The building
of the bridge and causeway, which started 12 years ago, was originally suggested
by His Highness Shaikh Hamad. Apart from its usefulness to the people of