Page 455 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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A detailed statement of expenditure is shown below.
The average number of men employed on daily wages was 1362. In addition, 38 men are
on monthly pay.

Main Water Supply.—The improvement reported last year in operating the supply was
continued and intensified. Sales of Water increased by about 23 per cent. ; and the year’s
working shows a profit of Rs. 42,482, a figure which is very satisfactory and which reflects
great credit on Mr. L. Harris and his staff.
During the year 221 new connections to the main were made, and several new public
installations connected. As before approximately one-third of the output of water was supplied
at no charge to public wash-houses, etc.
The pumps continued to work well and no serious trouble occurred with the mains. The
meters and meter-reading gave rather less cause for complaint than in previous years ; but the
use of meters in the peculiar atmospheric conditions of Bahrain is not really desirable. It is,
however, difficult to find a better alternative at the moment.
The peak figure for water supplied in one day was 976,000 gallons on 5th August.
Undoubtedly, the exceptionally cool summer greatly helped to bring about the easy working
of the supply this year. Before next hot weather the second centrifugal pump will be in oper­
ation and it would appear that the supply will be able to keep pace with the increasing demand,
at least, as far as water for domestic purposes is concerned.
Roads.—Maintenance : A smaller sum than in recent years—only Rs. 1,56,644—was spent;
this being due to the good results of the maintenance done in the two previous years. At the
end of the year very few of the main roads metalled in the four-year programme remained
without their sealing coat of asphalt. Unfortunately, some trouble occurred on Shaikh Isa
Road, due to sub-grade asphalt and badly graded chippings. By the end of the year, the
surface had settled and hardened ; but in the process it had become rather wavy. With this
exception the asphalting was a success.
The usual work to the minor roads and bridges in the cultivated areas of the Island was
carried out. All accepted roads, however insignificant, are kept open.
New Works : Rs.6,40,310 was spent on metalling roads and constructing pavements.
Part of this sum was due to the regrettable failure of the surfaces laid on the north-east third
of the Causeway and on the Muharraq Sea Road. This work had to be cut up and re-laid.
The approach to Muharraq from the Causeway was greatly improved. The old “island”
was demolished, and two new and better sited “islands” constructed. A bus park was made on
the north-west side of the approach. The new road to Hidd was completed, and has proved
very satisfactory ; and various other stretches of road in Manama were metalled.
By far the biggest expenditure was on the construction of pavements. By the end of the'
year these had been put in on most of the principal roads in Manama.
Annual Repairs and Decorations.—As was to be expected, this item shows an increase, and
the total spent—Rs. 5,51,399—is the highest to date. Climatic conditions in Bahrain call for
constant exterior decorations, and the steadily increasing number of Government buildings
means more upkeep every year.
The standard of interior work at last began to show some improvement.
Contract Works.—A contract was let for the erection of 25 small stone built houses, to be
let at low rents. The object was to combat the present exorbitant rents charged by unscrupulous
landlords for barasties. The contract figure was Rs. 1,30,000, of which 90 per cent, was paid
during the year.
A contract was let for the erection of 43 houses, of a similar plan, for the Police ; the
figure being Rs. 2,10,700. A further 40 additional houses are proposed for 1372 ; and when
these are completed the Police compound will be much bigger and the Parade ground enclosed
by married lines.
Various small pieces of land, mostly in Muharraq, were reclaimed from the sea ; and an
area of swampy ground, near Ahli Club, was filled in and surfaced. The total cost of these
works was Rs. 60,619.