Page 488 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat
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Police Houses.—A contract was given to a local builder to construct 32 houses along the
western side of the Police parade ground. The houses contain two rooms and a compound
and are similar in type to those previously built on the south of the fort.
OBITUARY
Shaikh Khalifah bin Sulman A1 Khalifali
The death took place towards the end of the year of Shaikh Khalifah bin Sulman, first
cousin and half-brother of His Highness Shaikh Sulman. Shaikh Khalifah was the eldest son
of the eldest son of Shaikh Isa bin Ali. Shaikh Khalifah’s father died at a comparatively early
age, while performing the Pilgrimage to Mecca; had he survived it is possible that he would have
succeeded Shaikh Isa as Ruler. Shaikh Khalifah, who lived in Muharraq, at one time owned
extensive property. He left a large family of sons and daughters.
Yusuf bin Abdul Rahman Fakhroo
Yusuf Fakhroo, who in his time was one of the leading Bahrain merchants, died at Rafaa
after being in ill health for some time. He was originally of Persian nationality and acquired
Bahrain nationality many years ago. His commercial interests extended in many directions ;
he owned sailing dhows which traded in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea; he was connected
with the diving industry and traded in limber and other commodities. Latterly his firm dealt
in motor cars. Yusuf Fakhroo took a leading part in starting the first boys’ school in Muharraq
in 1919, he was an influential member of the Muharraq Municipal Council and sat on many
local committees.
FINANCE
Revenue and Expenditure 1371.—The total revenue in 1371 was Rs. 320,58,000/- (approxi
mately £2,400,000) about 69 lakhs more than the revenue in 1370. Income from oil increased
by 47J lakhs, Customs receipts were 151 lakhs higher and the income from the Reserve Fund was
approximately 2\ lakhs more than in the previous year. The increase in the oil revenue was
not due to higher production but it \sas owing to the voluntary payment by the Company of
5 lakhs monthly, which commenced from the last quarter of 1370, being continued throughout
the year. Customs receipts were high owing to the flourishing condition of the transit trade.
Other sources of revenue showed small increases.
The total expenditure, including 57 lakhs which was paid to the Privy Purse of His Highness
the Ruler, being one-third of the oil revenue, was Rs. 206,23,000/- almost 50 lakhs more than in
1371. Of this increase, 16 lakhs more than in the previous year was paid to the Privy Purse.
Over 55 lakhs was spent on new major public works, this was 18 lakhs more than was spent on
similar projects in the previous year. Education, Public Protection and Public Health cost
22J lakhs, 14-4/5 lakhs and 17 lakhs respectively. If the one-third of the oil revenue is deducted
Education, Public Protection and Public Health absorb 16 per cent, and 12 per cent, of the total
expenditure. These three departments cost respectively 61 lakhs, 2\ lakhs and 21 lakhs more
than in 1370. The increases were due to more schools having been opened, an all round increase
in Police pay and expansion of medical and public health work. In other branches of the
administration the expenditure was higher than before due to the employment of additional
staff and some increases in salaries.
Public Works expenditure included the completion of several important buildings, flats for
letting on Awal Road, Transport shed and premises east of the Fort, Public Health Office an
flat, and a large boys’ school on the Muharraq sea front. Among works in progress were t\\o
blocks of flats at Muharraq, two dozen workmen’s houses west of Belgrave Road, marrie
quarters for the Police, another customs shed, quarters for teachers above the Technical Schoo ,
new show rooms above the Government shops in Barrett Road, work on the new Palace an
extensive road and pavement work in Manama. Part of the expenditure was on products
works such as shops and flats.