Page 254 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

5*1 **.—
order to proceed with the main road work, over 50 culverts had to be built, and this work was done
in reinforced concrete.
Two nine-ton rollers were at work all the year ; and the timely arrival in Safar of two i.ooo-
gallon asphalt boilers-- on girder for 20 months—enabled the mixing of cold-patch to be carried out at
temporary depots set up near outlying works. Stone and sand were supplied under contract.
Contracts were let for periods of ten or twelve weeks, and prices became very keen.
Work on the construction of the raised formation Of an all-weather road to llcdd proceeded
during the year. Progress on this was much delayed owing to the finding of unauthorised high tension
cables on Government land.

The usual maintenance to secondary roads and bridges continued.
Towards the end of the year, a start was made in laying a sealing coat of asphalt and drippings
on the main roads metalled two or more years ago. Two boilers with spraying equipment were
purchased, and work started at Radam-al-Kavari and proceeded towards Manamah. Rather over a
mile of the Rafaa Road was complete at the end of the year.
III. Constructional Works :
(a) Education Hostel.—Over 8 lakhs were spent on this building, which is situated on a
site between Bclgravc Road and Shaikh Daij Road. By the end of the year it was over 70 per cent
complete. It will be described in detail in next year’s report.
(b) Dilmun House.—This is a block of nine residential flats, sited on the Sea Road just cast
of the Pearl Cinema. These flats were built to meet the needs of European and American firms who
require accommodation for the members of their staffs. The standard of accommodation and finish
is higher than those in recently constructed Government buildings. Each flat has an entrance hall,
combined lounge dining-room, two bedrooms each with bathroom, and verandah on the north side.
A range of garages and a caretaker’s house are being provided in the back compound.
(c) Customs Pier Works.—The steel framed store shed started in 1368 was completed;
and a similar shed (192' 0' X 60' o”) was started, a site having been reclaimed from the sea early
in the year, by contract. A standard gauge railway track was laid along the east side of the pier,
and a mobile crane with a lift of 10 tons was installed thereon. The old crane was taken out and set
up on the pier-head. Later in the year a contract was let for the filling in of the sea between the pier
and the small mole to the cast of the Customs House. The Customs House and Offices and the Food
Control Office were completely redecorated at the end of the year.
(d) Hospital Works.—The main work was the construction of a “ Stores and Mess ” block
in the southern part of the hospital compound, at a cost of Rs. 1,08,176. A small but interesting job
was the construction of a new laboratory on the roof of the theatre—this included perhaps the best
quality work of the whole year. Various other small alterations and additions were carried out.
The entire compound was surfaced with metal and cold-patch during the year. Early in the year the
Medical Staff block providing quarters for 5 single and 10 married staff, was completed.
(e) Electrical Supply Department Works.—The main work consisted of completing
the extension to the Power House which had been started the previous year. Two new engine beds
were put in, also runs of cable trenches, etc. Apart from these works in the Power House, 6 new
sub-stations were built and extensive alterations made to a further three.
(f) Muharraq Boys School Extension.—During the summer holidays, a first floor was
added to the eastern half of this school; the accommodation provided being six new class-rooms and
a storeroom, A double entrance staircase was built over the main door on the south front. The cost
of this work was Rs. 1,02,478.
In addition to the above, many other minor works were executed, including the pulling down
and rebuilding of Abu Zaidan Mosque ; and a larger sum than heretofore was spent on maintenance
and decorations.