Page 93 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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During the Coronation festivities, the police, nature and school boys, in all
about 400 persons, gave a night display in front of the Fort which was attended by
about seven thousand people, including the staff of the Bahrain Petroleum Company
and sailors from sloops. The entertainment consisted of a torchlight tattoo followed
by a representation of an attack on a village by raiders in sailing boats, and a fight
and the burning of the village. Police, school boys and camels took part in the show,
the scenery, boats, costumes and weapons were made by the police and the lighting
effects, including flood lighting, were arranged by the Government Electric Depart­
ment. This was the first time that such an entertainment has been produced in
Bahrain. It was very well received.
Guards of Honour were*provided by the Police on various official occasions
including the opening of The Bahrain Petroleum Company’s Refinery, aud during
the visit of His Royal Highness the Amir Saoud.
Police Buildings. When the new Custom House was completed the old
customs office was repaired and adopted for use as a town police station. The
buildiug contains a large well ventilated lock-up, an office, a room for the police
when off duty and a special cell for persons who are not confined in the lock-up.
The Police Station is on the south of the Customs Square, the most central position
in Manamah and is a very suitable place for the purpose.

Extensive repairs were carried out in the Fort during the year. The north
wall on both sides of the Bungalow was rebuilt and the tower on the north west
corner of the Port was restored and enlarged. Rubble from the old walls was used
to raise the level of the yards in the Fort and the prison which formerly became
swamps during the rainy season.
The fort and pier at Hawar were completed at the end of the year with the
exception of some work on the courtyard wall.
Recruitment. During the year 21 men left the State Police, some resigned
on completing their four years service and others were discharged on account of ill
health. The physical standard of men applying to join the police is not as good as
it used to be, but this is mainly owing to the fact that strong able bodied men can
easily obtain work with the Bahrain Petroleum Company. Over 50% of the men
who appear to be fit, when sent to the Medical Officer for examination before
being taken on in the Police, are reported unfit, usually on account of defective
eyesight.

Health. The average number of men reporting for daily sick parade is six.
This represents an average out of a total strength of about 220 but of this number
there are usually 20 men on leave and over 40 on outpost duty outside Manamah
though serious cases among the police are always sent in for treatment.

Police Families’ Clinic. Towards the end of the year a weekly clinic was
held at the Fort by Mrs. Belgrave and one of the Government Nurses for the wives
and children of the Police. The average attendance is about 35. Children are
treatel, given inelicine and the mothers are instructed in infant welfare methods.
Police Band and Fire Brigade. A dozen young men of the police band
have been trained as a fire brigade by Mr. \V. B. Steele, the State Engineer. They
have a weekly practice with the Government Fire Engine, which was purchased
during the year and have become fairly proficient in working the pumps and hoses.
The band are also being taught to read and write and have an hour’s lesson on five
days of the week. Their musical repertoire lias been considerably enlarged and the
band now plays on Monday afternoons in the municipal garden.
Registration of Arms and Ammunition. An anomalous position has existed
in the past regarding the possession of firearms and ammunition by the public. The
import of arms and ammunition has been forbidden for many years but possession
of firearms in Bahrain has been permitted. In Shawaal 1355 (December 1936)
the Bahrain Government issued a regulation governing the possession of arms and