Page 354 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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the cultivated areas were continued ; but most of the increased expenditure was incurred by continuing
to lay the sealing coat of asphalt and chipping* on the main roads which had been metalled in the lust
few years.
This work was done on about two miles of the Rafaa Road, the whole of Jufair Road, part of
Belgravc Road and about three miles of Budaya Road. A limiting factor was found to be the supply
of suitable clippings. The Department's two crushers were unable to turn out sufficient so, during
the year, a large quantity of clippings had to be purchased from a contractor. These were expensive
and not as well graded as the clippings produced by the Government crushers.
During the last three months of the year, a nine ton roller and an asphalt sprayer, with the
necessary operators, were loaned to the Ministry of Works and, at last, the roads in the Jufair Com­
pound. which for so long had been in a very bad condition, were improved and surfaced.
Small Constructional Work, Decoration and Maintenance.—Taken together, these form
a large part of the Department’s activities. It is significant of the development of Bahrain that
works, which a few years ago would have been considered large, are now classed as small.
A considerable increase in costs occurred and, although much of this is due to factors outside
the Public Works Department’s control, it would appear that these sides of the Department’s work
were not handled to the best advantage. 'Hie reason is obvious—the total activities of the Department
have increased so much faster than the increase in supervisory staff. Small works need relatively
more supervision than the large works ; but now the size of the total programme is such that in small
jobs, maintenance etc., far too much has to be left to overseers and foremen. The results, economi­
cally, are not good.
Small new buildings erected include : a house for the assistant to the Officer i/c Public Works
Department; a house for the Transport Officer ; garages and a caretaker’s house at Dilmun House ;
a first floor addition to the T. B. Quarters, providing accommodation for seven beds; eight new
Electricity Sub-stations ; extension to Passport Office ; two sets of quarters for Havildars at the Fort ;
Medical Inspection rooms and dhobi ghat at the Fort ; cow-houses, dairy and transport sheds at
Budaya Gardens ; clinics at Kurzakhan and East Rafaa, and extensions to schools at Suk cl Khamis
and Sitra.
Decorations were carried out very extensively at the Hospital, the Adviseratc, the Fort, the
Customs House, the Law Court Flats, and the flats over the Police Station and the Post Office. During
the summer holidays, all the schools on the Island were repaired and re-decorated.
The Public Works Department continued to give maintenance services to all Government
Buildings. Owing to the large construction programme carried out during the last few years, main­
tenance alone now forms a big part of the Department’s work. Two items arc of special interest—the
open drain running the whole length of Sheikh Daig Road to the sea, a distance of over half a mile,
was cleared and concreted—and a large sum was spent on strengthening the East wall of the Custom s
Pier, as this was proving unsafe for carrying the mobile crane.
Major Constructional Works :
1. For Custom’s Department.

The steel-framed shed, started in 1369, was completed and in use before the winter weather
set in.
The contract let late in 1369 for filling in the sea between the Pier and the small mole to the
East of the Custom s House was completed. An area of approximately 86,000 sq. feet was reclaimed
and this was surfaced later. A large steel framed shed, 292 ft. x 60 ft., for this site was ordered and
arrived before the end of the year, but erection was postponed until 1371.
2. For State Engineer’s Department.
An engine bed for a C50 KW. engine was put down in the Power House in Dil Haj.

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