Page 118 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Continuity of Supply. The Electricity Undertaking has been in operation since May 1930,
and failure of supply, due to Power House faults, has been practically nil. There has been no failure
of underground distribution feeders or substation equipment.
Financial Position. After meeting all charges a surplus of Rs. 56,510*1-9 is shown for the
year 1362, which has been carried to " Operating Reserve."
Electricity Charges. Electricity charges were not increased in 1362, but it may be necessary
to rc-considcr the present charges in 1363 owing to the great increase in the cost of material and labour,
and general running expenses.
Prospect for 1363. Connected load will increase in 1363 as follows:—

A further 50 KW is to be installed at Muharraq Aerodrome principally to deal with the new
air conditioning load.
A further 50 KW transformer is being installed at the Jufair Naval Base.
British Overseas Airways Corporation are adding approximately 20 KW and an extra
25 KW of transformer capacity will be added to Gudhaibia substation to deal with this. A new
200 KVA generating set by " Mirrlces Bickerton and Day Ltd., England," is on order from England
for the Government Power House and it is hoped that it will be available for load during
the summer of 1363.
The usual domestic load increases in the bazaar and town should add approximately 20 KW.
Total new connected load is estimated at approximately 140 KW.
Telephones. The number of subscribers connected to date, is 96. . The proposed laying of
underground mains to assist communication was not carried out, owing to difficulty in obtaining
material. The present overhead system is working as satisfactorily as can be expected in the very
humid atmosphere of Bahrain. This Department was self-supporting during 1362. The new
telephone switchboard, ordered on 12-1-43, has not yet arrived but a spare 20 line is in stock. Appli­
cations for more connections have been refused owing to the difficulty in obtaining new telephone
instruments.
Transport Department. The Government Garage carried out the repairing and servicing
of all Government vehicles (27).
Great difficulty is being experienced in keeping vehicles on the road owing to spare parts not
being available locally, or obtainable, as yet, from overseas. The Government of India, however,
through the Political Agent, Bahrain, has been of great assistance in the matter of tyres. A " quota "
was allotted to Bahrain without which Government and essential public vehicles would have come
to a standstill. The purchase of these tyres is controlled, they are issued by the State Engineer's
Department, essential vehicles being given priority.
Fire Section. The Government and Municipal fire engines extinguished eighteen fires during
1362. No major outbreaks occurred.
Traffic Section. The State Engineer’s Department continued to carry out the registration
of all motor vehicles in the State, testing of brakes, lights, etc. (in accordance with the Bahrain Govern­
ment Motor Vehicle Proclamation of 1357). The licensing and re-licensing of all drivers was also
carried out by this Department, 65 drivers being examined during 1362, of whom 49 passed. The
number of licenses issued during the year 1362 was 157.
The price of car batteries is controlled and they are issued by the State Engineer's Department
as in the case of tyres, firstly, to essential vehicles. The number of motor vehicles now in use in the
State is approximately 522 including those of the Bahrain Petroleum Company. It is expected that
many more will be added.