Page 411 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

51
It is reported that the export of gold from Arabia to Bahrain is prohibited; hence the large
quantity that comes here must presumably be smuggled out of Arabia.
On account of its abuse for drinking purposes the import of methylated spirits and denatured
alcohol is effected under permits issued by H. B. M.’s Political Agent. All such methylated spirits
arc treated with a chemical agent which is intended to render it unwholesome for drinking purposes.
This difficulty seems to have been overcome by the locals who like alcoholic drinks, and the following
quantities were imported in the past years :
For medicinal purposes.. 50 gallons.
„ paint-inaking 15 gallons.
„ use in lamps 295 gallons.

Total .. 360 gallons.
The above figures would lead one to infer that there must be a great number of lamps in Bahrain,
while, in fact, the main illuminant is kerosene oil in hurricane lamps, and, in Manamah, electric light.
Apart from the hospitals, no one has ever seen a lamp using Methylated spirit.
The concession of duty-free imports has been granted to :—
l
H. B. M.'s Political Agent.
The Victoria Memorial Hospital.
The Government of Bahrain, and its
Public Works Department.
The Government Farm.
The State Police.
The State Hospital.
The Electric Department.
The Education Department.
The Bahrain Petroleum Coy. Ltd.
British Overseas Airways Corporation.
H. B. M.'s Royal Navy, and
The Royal Air Force.
Other grants are :—
Exempted from payment of duty:

Importers. Quantity and Nature Duty Collections
of Cargo and value. would have been.
Members of A1 Khalifah Family .. Motor Cars and Motor
parts. Value Rs. 36,000 Rs. 3,600-0-0 10%.
.. Cement, Dates, Barley,
etc. Value Rs. 21,800. Rs. 1,090-0-0 5%.

Goods Imported under concessions :
Importers. Quantity and Nature Duty Collections
of Cargo and Value. would have been.
American Mission Hospital Rs. 7,200. Rs. 360-0-0 5%.
Rs. 900. Rs. 90-0-0 10%.
Messrs. Gray Mackenzie & Co., Ltd. .. .. Cinema Films.
Value Rs. 1,55,000. Rs. 7,750-0-0 5%.
General:—It may be expected that in the coming year the income from the Customs Department
will considerably decrease, for the reasons indicated above; but the incidence of war, and the operation
of the Food Control have considerably increased the quantity of statistical and recording work to be
done, which implies that it will be impossible to economise in the cost of the Department by,
for instance, a reduction of staff.

A