Page 59 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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department which was maintained throughout the year. The overseers and the office staff (in partic­
ular the Head Clerk) all worked keenly and well and without the enthusiasm they showed the year's
results might have been very different.

Progress during the year was not maintained without considerable difficulties. The chief
troubles encountered were («) the steady loss from Bahrain of carpenters, who were lured away by the
far higher wage rates prevailing on the mainland, (6) breakdowns of plant of American manufacture and
the long delay in obtaining spare parts, (c) the impossibility of getting plumbers and fitters of even
average capability, and {d) the building programme tending to get ahead of the arrival of stores from
the United Kingdom. As a result the total output for the year, although a record, was lower than at
one time seemed possible. By the end of the year, however, the various steps taken to overcome
these troubles were beginning to have good effect, and the department is able to start the new year in a
good position and with confidence.

Major Works.
(a) Town Improvement Plan.—The nine Government shops started in 1366 were completed
in the spring and all were let at fair rents. Two small comer shops were also built and let. The
new Police Station and Post Office building was completed. Two residential flats were constructed on
the first floor. The old Police Station and most of the Post Office were demolished, and work was
started on the Government Offices which are to occupy the site. At the close of the year the
Government Offices were about 60 per cent complete.
(b) House for British Sisters.—A site south of the Women’s Hospital was acquired, and a
new house for British Sisters was started in Shawal. Work proceeded well for a time, and was then
badly delayed by the non-arrival of steel windows from the United Kingdom. At the close of the
year the building was about 75 per cent complete.
(c) Quarters for Indian Staff over old Government Garages.—Two of the old Government
Garages near the Adviserate were converted into a flat and two more flats were built on the roof of the
four garages. Work started in Shaban and finished in Shawal.
(d) Private Wards, Women's Hospital.—Three private wards and the necessary ancillary
rooms were constructed on the roof of the Women's Hospital, access being obtained by means of a
staircase from the back veranda on the first floor. These were completed in Rajab.

Minor Works.
A large number of minor new works were carried out including :
2 new sub-stations.
Annex to smithy at Power House.
New workshop with 3 ramps for Transport Department.
New European kitchen at Hospital.
Sun shelter for out-patients at Hospital.
Bathroom and baggage room, Sisters quarters, at Hospital.
Wall enclosing play-ground of Boys West School.
Changing room at Technical School.
New House for Fire Engine on the old site.

Annual Repairs.—The usual repair work proceeded, departments benefiting most being the
Medical and Education departments. Decoration work included complete inside and outside painting
of the Palace at Gozabia, outside decorations of the State Medical Officer’s flat and dispensary block
at Hospital, and outside decorations to Law Courts and flats above.
P.W.D. Yard.—During the year a range of 14 garages was erected on the south east side of the
site and a new carpenters’ shop and extensions to the pay-office were built. Deccaville track was
laid down the yard, joining at each end to the track in the store sheds and with off-shoots to the gutch
burning kiln and the ramp to the shore.