Page 457 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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One of the most encouraging features of the year’s work has been the success of the pave­
ments. Local people were quick to realize the advantage of walking on the pavements, instead
of meandering about the roads, and even the bulls—who each morning parade Manama, in
pairs, in the course of their duties—now walk on the pavements. The result is that the roads
are now far safer. Moreover, the provision of pavements has completely transformed the whole
appearance of Manama and given to the town an aspect of tidyness and form which was
previously lacking.

Taken by and large, 1371 may be considered a fairly satisfactory year. The Department
increased its output of major works ; and managed to give reasonably efficient service, despite
its greatly increased commitments. The standard of work is slowly improving. No important
increase of staff was made, and the office staff, overseers, foremen and storekeepers all did very
well, often under great pressure.
Government buildings arc still designed and built departmentally ; and local tradition is
still followed as far as is compatible with progress. During the year three buildings—the Boys’
School at Muharraq, The Health Office, and Tylos Mouse—were completed, which all contain
some of the best work yet done by P.W.D. ; and which serve to show the diversity of planning
which can be achieved without departing far from the traditional style. It is satisfactory to
note that—with a few glaring exceptions of bastard modernism—the buildings designed by
local men and erected by local contractors are fairly closely following the definite lead given by
the Government, both in better standard of work and in appropriate design.

Ii
PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE, 1371
i
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PRODUCTIVE
Completion of Government Flats. 1st Block,
Awal Road 2,21,411 4 11
New Government Flats, 2nd Block, Awal Road, with
Garages, Servants Quarters, etc. (in progress) 5,81,470 4 9
New Government Flats, Muharraq (including Re­
clamation of Land) 4,81,902 2 9
New Workmen’s Houses 1,30,397 7 II
14,15,181 4 4
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (UNPRODUCTIVE)
Completion of Transport Shed and Compound Wall 97,671 11 1
Completion of Health Office 3,67,512 13 11
New Boys’ School at M uharraq 4,25,274 14 0
New Quarters over Technical School 90,825 3 7
New Offices Over Barrett Road Shops 1,20,750 9 3 I
New House for Police at Fort 1,21,833, 2 9
New Customs Shed, No. 3 1,58,521 7 7
New Palace 2,47,714 10 11
16.30,104 9 11
MISCELLANEOUS APPROVED WORKS 10,05,707 13 8
ROADS
New Works and Pavements 6,40,310 8 3

STORES 7,83,550 4 0
Rs. 54,74,854 8 2