Page 200 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Shippings Bills. The total number of Shipping Bills dealt with during the year was 7,870,
as follows:—
Export Shipping Bills .. 6,907
Direct Transhipment .. 740
Over-carried cargo 223
Total .. 7,870
Accidents within the port.
On the nth of September, 1944, Messrs. Gray, Mackenzie & Co., Ltd.’s launch No. 3, while
alongside the R.A.F. Jetty, at Maharaq, caught fire while starting up the engine. The engine was
totally destroyed by fire and the hull was partly destroyed. The hull was later repaired and fitted
with a new engine and returned to service.
The Light Tender " NEARCHUS ” paid her usual visits of inspection to the Harbour Lighting.
General.
Whilst anticipating another successful year as regards Customs revenue the budget estimates
for the ensuing year have been shown at approximately 25 per cent, lower than in 1363, as all signs
point to a general fall in prices, particularly those of piece-goods from India—due to the much stricter
control prevailing there over Export prices.

OLD GAUGING AND INSPECTION.
Report by Mr. G. E. Hutchings.
Observations carried out by the Government in the works of the Bahrain Petroleum Company
were as follows:—
1. Day to day measurement and sampling of crude oil,
(а) gathered from the Bahrain Field.
(б) imported from Arabia via the Zellaq terminal.
2. Inspection of measuring and distributing equipment used in connection with petroleum
products consumed in Bharain, in respect of which royalty payment is deducted.
3. Inspection (in the capacity of an independent party) of cargoes of refined petroleum,
such inspection including
(a) Witness of shore tank gauges of quantity.
(b) Certification of laboratory tests.
(c) Certification of ships’ loading data.
4. Inspection of loaded containers used for the export of manufactured gas.
5. Witness of shore tank gauges of quantity of air-craft fuel imported to Bahrain and stored
in the Company's tanks.
This work was carried out under the supervision of Mr. W. B. Steele, the State Engineer,
until his departure from Bahrain at midsummer, and subsequently by Mr. G. E. Hutchings, Principal
of the Technical School. Three trained native gaugers were employed by the Government at the
Zellaq coast terminal to work in conjunction with the Company’s staff on imported crude oil measure­
ment. The Government’s royalty measurements of crude oil at the refinery receiving tanks were
made by a senior officer of the Company seconded to the Government for that service. This is a
temporary arrangement made necessary by staff shortage and will terminate as soon as it is possible
to appoint a Government officer for all the petroleum inspection work. All inspections other than
for royalty purposes have been conducted personally by Mr. Steele and his successor.
The cost of the whole of this service, including salaries, transport and office expenses, amounted
during the year to Rs.19,364. Fees paid to the Government through the Bahrain Petroleum Company
in respect of cargo inspections amounted to Rs.28,708, giving a credit balance of Rs. 9,344.

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