Page 379 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

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(Mant-nah Municipality)

girders and corrugated iron roof. Rent is paid to

the Municipality by importers who store petrol there,
According to municipal law shopkeepers are forbidden
to store more than a limited number of tins inside

the tov/n area owing to danger from fire.
Artesian wells. Seven artesian wells v/ithin the

tov/n were fitted with valves and upright pipes
according to the government's order. The tanks which
formerly held surplus water, and v/hich bred mosquitoes
have been demolished and the water is available from

taps set along horizontal pipes.
Repercussions from A.P.Q.C dispute. Tfnen news

reached Bahrain that the Persian government had
cancelled the A.P.O.C agreement meetings were held
among the local Persian community and a rumour was
spread that Bahrain's supply of petrol and paraffin

would be cut off. In half a day the price of paraffin
rose to more than double the market price, In order

to combat the profiteering the government arranged for
the municipality to purchase a large amount of paraffin
and sell it at the ordinary price, This was done and

price immediately descended to normal, It was after-
wards stated that the government itself had bought up

the paraffin and having made a corner it was selling
it at a high price.
Municipal Ice machine. Ice was manufactured during
the summer from electric power and was sold at pies

per pound instead of 7£- pies which was last year's
price. This is considered a public utility service

and the municipality contents itself with a small profit
after covering all expenses.