Page 220 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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vin g magnates to regard any increase in the advances which they pay as a generous action on their
part, in fact these advances arc loans to the divers upon which the lenders collect a handsome rate of
interest.
The estimated value of the pearl catch was Rs. 18.55,000, this being the estimated amount
which was paid to the nakhudas and divers by the original purchasers of the pearls.

POLICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY.

At the end of 1364 the strength of the police force was as follows :—
Police. Naturs.
Officers .. 4
N.C.Os. and men 385 142
Followers 38
In Shawaal 1364 the Special Police, who throughout the war were on duty at the oil fields,
were disbanded and those of them who still had periods of service to complete were amalgamated with
the State Police. This force, which was enlisted by the Bahrain Government at a time when recruits
for the police were numerous and it was possible to make a careful selection, have given very good
service and their behaviour has been satisfactory throughout. When men were recruited for the
R.A.F. Levies the standard of recruits was much lower and a different type of man was enlisted.
Dude*.—It was necessary during the early part of the year to set up several new police posts
in different parts of the islands to prevent smuggling, these included posts at Zellaq, on the coast
below Rafaa and in the two islands beyond Hedd. The number of men on posts, guards and special
patrols was about 170 in addition to 63 naturs stationed in different parts of the country. Lack of
transport made the police less mobile and entailed fixed posts in places which if cars were available
could have been supervised by motor patrols. A new police launch was brought into service towards
the end of the year and constant sea patrols were carried out.

It was again not possible to carry out the complete musketry course but men who failed in
previous courses were allowed to fire again with a few recruits who were enlisted during 1364.
Leave earned and due during 1364 was enjoyed by nearly half the members of the force,
though the number of men on leave never exceeded 22 at one time.
Daily parades were carried out throughout the year consisting of P.T. for one hour and military
training for the second hour. The average number of men on parade was about 40.

Two deaths occurred in the police force during the year. There was a slight decrease in the
number of men seen on sick parade which averaged approximately 9*2 % of the whole force. There
were 146 inpatients in the Government Hospital being an average of 4% of the force.
Gratuities were paid to the heirs of a policeman who died, to one Indian Instructor who was
given his discharge and to another policeman who was discharged owing to ill-health.

Special allowances were sanctioned for policemen working as clerks.
Prisoner*.—During the year 265 prisoners were admitted to the jail, 235 were released and 72
were in custody at the end of the year. 4-4% of the prisoners attended sick parade and 43 were
admitted to hospital. Generally the health of prisoners improves during their period of captivity.
To celebrate the end of the European war His Highness Shaikh Sulman granted an amnesty reducing
by one-third all prison sentences passed by the Bahrain Courts. Eight prisoners who had completed
two-thirds of their sentences were released and 38 prisoners had their sentences reduced.
Weaving on hand looms by prisoners at Jida island continued throughout the year with five
looms working continuously. The prisoners now weave their own prison uniforms, durries for the