Page 20 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Relief measures included Rs. 20,500 contributed by the Government to the two Poor Relief
Committees.
In 1360 a sum of one lakh of rupees was transferred from the Electrical Department account
to the Consolidated Fund account. This represented the " Depreciation Reserve ” shown in the
Electrical Accounts for the year 1360, and this amount was placed on deposit with the Government.
In 13C1 this lakh of rupees was repaid into the Electrical account with the intention that
this department should invest it in Government of India securities. Owing to the fact that
the Government was in need of all available funds for purchasing food supplies, this investment has
been postponed until 1362.

The Government took over the interests which the Manamah and Muharraq municipalities
had in the Electrical Scheme and repaid them the amount of capital which they had originally
subscribed.
By the end of the year the Government had spent Rs. 7,73,000 on food supplies which were held
by the Government. These supplies will be sold during 1362 and have been shown on the revenue
side of the 1362 budget. This sum is part of the amount which normally have been added to the
Reserve Fund during the year.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Throughout the year 1361 this department has been mainly occupied in carrying out a big
programme of building work for the Royal Air Force. With no addition to the small normal staff,
construction of camps, buildings, aerodrome works, etc., etc., amounting to about 2\ lakhs of rupees
have been completed.
The possibility of the Bahrain Government being asked to undertake work for the military
authorities was considered when the budget for 1361 was made and this was one of the reasons why
no important new projects were contemplated in the budget. At the end of 1361 more R.A.F. work
is under consideration and the Public Works Department will probably be occupied with this during
the first half of the year 1362.

Almost all the expenditure on R.A.F. works consisted of payments for labour and for local
purchases which provided useful employment for Bahrain workmen. It became necessary during
the year for the Government to make a small increase in rates of wages and the cost of local building
materials, stone, wood, lime, etc., was also raised.
Apart from special work for the R.A.F. the following Government works were completed or
commenced:—
Government Hospital.—Completion of Surgery Block, Staff Sisters’ quarters, new European
Ward with kitchens, bath-rooms, etc., etc.
Manama Sea Road.—Beginning of extension of the road past the Government Hospital.
This work is being done on behalf of the Government by the Manama Municipality.
Manama«Muharraq Road.—Completion of surfacing the road, alterations to Muharraq
Naturs Station, construction of a roundabout and removal of Muharraq flag pole to another site.
Manama Palace.—Conversion of two rooms into one to be used as a dining-room, New
tank in the Palace garden with drainage to cultivated ground on the west of the garden.

Fire Engine Station near the Adviserate.
Camp for Special Police.
Reclaiming swamp at Budeya.

In addition to the usual upkeep of roads and buildings the department made furniture for
schools and carried out a number of minor works.