Page 303 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT
(Report by Mr. G. W. R. Smith, Director of Customs and Port Officer)
The revenue collected by the Customs Department from all sources, including Boat
Licences, exceeded last year’s revenue by Rs. 16,55,950/-, and exceeded the amount which was
anticipated in the budget by Rs. 27,20,742/-.
The increase in revenue is due in the main to heavier imports of Flour, Sugar, Silk and
particularly woollen Piece-goods. There was a decrease during the year in the prices of Tea and
Coffee.
Re-Exports from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia were maintained at a similar level as in the
previous year.
Accidents Within Port Limits.
1. On the 9th January, 1955, a local craft, laden with a cargo of dry fish while in Manama
Harbour, capsized and sunk, due to a strong shumal. The craft and cargo was lost.
2. On the 22nd February, 1955, a local craft laden with a cargo of dry fish while in
Manama Harbour, capsized and sunk. The craft was totally destroyed, but a part of the
cargo was saved.
3. On the 9th July, 1955, a local craft laden with a cargo of petrol, while at sea between
Manama and Sitra, caught fire, and was totally destroyed.
The Light Tender Vessel Relume carried out her usual visits of inspection to the lights and
buoys.
General.
The estimated revenue for 1956, Rs. 105,00,(XX)/-, is of course well below the actual revenue
for 1955, and is based on the assumption that there may be a reduction in imports during the
year due to the present overstocking of certain commodities such as all types of piece-goods.
The new pier, on the eastern side of the Customs Pier, which was completed at the end
of 1954, was in use throughout the year, mainly for passenger traffic. Owing to passenger
traffic being restricted to the eastern jetty it was possible to improve the supervision of the
main pier.
The new customs sheds, some of which were completed in 1954, were full throughout
the year. There is an urgent demand for storage space on the customs premises. In the past most
of the leading merchants owned large storehouses inside the town but since the value of land
has become so high and the need for more shops and offices is so great most of the old “godowns*
have been pulled down by their owners to make way for shops and offices. Income during 1955
for the storage of goods in the customs warehouses was about 17 Lakhs. It is proposed that in
1956 another piece of sea, west of the main pier, should be reclaimed to provide space for three
more large double sheds which, when completed, will raise the covered storage space available
in the customs to over 50,000 tons.

The last of the three customs officials who visited Great Britain under the auspices of the
Port of London Authority to study harbour management, etc., returned during the year. One
of them was subsequently lent to the Government of Dubai in order to make recommendations
on re-organising the customs services in that State.
YEAR 1955
ACTUAL RECEIPTS COMPARED WITH BUDGET ESTIMATES
Budget Head Estimated Actual
Collections Collections Increase Decrease
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Customs and Import Yard .. 94,47,500/- 120,60,311/- 26,12,BIL­
Miscellaneous 52,500/- 1,60,431/- LOW 1/-
Total 95,00,000/- 122,20,742/- 27,20,742/-

Increase over Estimates : Rs. 27,20,742/-