Page 46 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat
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Concession for Government employees.—A scheme to encourage government employees to buy
land and build living houses on it was introduced during the year. The Government announced that
it would sell land with certain conditions at a reduced price to Government employees; anyone with not
less than io years service being granted a reduction in the price of 20 per cent; persons with not less
than 15 years service being given a reduction of 25 per cent and those with not less than 20 years
service being allowed a reduction of 30 per cent in the market price. One of the conditions of the sale
prohibited the disposal of the land for ten years from date of its purchase.
Land Rents.—Rents of Government land amounted to Rs. 15,800. Altogether 318 plots of
land are let on short leases terminable by one month’s notice, 15 plots are leased for long terms ranging-
from 15 to 99 years and 3 plots in Muharraq are let to the Royal Air Force on five-year leases. In
cluded in the land let by the Government for building sites are two plots on the Jufair Road where
prefabricated wooden houses have been built by Messrs. Gray, Mackenzie & Co. Limited.
This locality is being developed as a European housing area. Several of the commercial firms
in Manama have bought or rented land on the Jufair Road or on the road running westward at right
angles from the Jufair Road on which they have constructed stone or wooden prefabricated houses.
Land in this vicinity is sold at Rs. 1/4 per square foot.
Government Shops.—The nine large Government shops and two small corner shops were let by
the Land Department on five-year leases, the large shops being let at Rs. 4,200 per annum. Numerous
applications were made for these shops but preference was given to Bahrain subjects.
Reservation of land by the Bahrain Petroleum Co.—The following applications for reserv
ation of Government land were made by the Bahrain Petroleum Company during the year :—
(а) A plot of land on Bahrain island on the shore near Askar about 19 acres in area, and one-
at Askar of about n acres and one at Sitra of about 29 acres. These areas were required:
for the sand deposits which they contained.
(б) An area of 266 acres between Jesra and Janabia in which artesian wells are to be dug in
order to supply water to the Refinery.
House Rent assessment.—The rental value of 14 houses was assessed during the year, tern
houses were in Manama and four in Muharraq.
The Government issued u proclamation excluding newly built houses from the provisions of the-
Rent Assessment Regulations. The position is still unsatisfactory, house-owners, who are mostly
Bahrain subjects, contend that a profit of 4 per cent is insufficient; tenants who are mostly foreigners,,
argue that more than 4 per cent is too high a rent. The only satisfactory solution of the problem is for
more houses to be built which takes considerable time.
WAKF DEPARTMENT
in value during , ., • P^eeP of mosques. The wakf property has increased much
to the mosoue nffirhu „ *' , ait *° examPIe» w*kf revenue is pooled and salaries are paid
Bahrl todav f t th, ^ dU“es whld> carry out. There is a feeling in
nm wa department should be reorganised on more modern lines.
was made by*the Gov^rnm^ S**Tted 7 ^anama some years a6°» bY the Qadis and a monthly grant
school. Little is known of it, acTvUief th°“eh ^ ^ Wakf pr°pCrty ^ ^ *
