Page 368 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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During 1353 and 1354 (1934-36) the Bahrain Government, at the request of the Naval authori­
ties constructed a number of large buildings at Jufair which included the pier (Rs. 12,000), the officers
mess (Rs. 19,000), clerk-in-charge’s house (Rs. n.ooo) and canteen (Rs. 23,000).
Hawar Fort was built in 1356 (1937-38) at the cost of Rs. 28,000, in the next year work on the
hospital was commenced which continued for several years, and in 1358 (1939-40) the Manama pier
was considerably extended and Holloway Bros., began the construction of the swing bridge on the
Manama-Muharraq causeway. The contract was for £28,291, and the bridge was opened on 18th
December 1940 by His Highness Shaikh Hamed. The prison at Jida and a pier at Budeya were finished
in 1362 (1942-43).

1365.—The only important building that was constructed during the year was a new wing to
the Manama Palace containing six rooms, verandas, etc., for the accommodation of Arab guests. Diffi­
culty was experienced in laying the foundations as the whole of the Palace area was-water logged,
pumps had to be used to remove the water while building and the cost of the work was much increased
by the special type of foundation that had to be laid, its final cost was Rs. 89,000.

Other minor works included the construction of four houses for married teachers on the edge
of the West School playing grounds, additions and adaptations in the hospital to provide a new
European private ward with a bathroom, an additional Arab private ward and some alterations in
the State medical Officer’s flat.
Work on the roads was limited owing to the lack of equipment but at the end of the year a road
grader and scarifier arrived from England and the complement of trucks was increased from two to
nine. Orders were placed in India and in the United Kingdom for a large quantity of building materials
to cover the necessary requirements for 1366.

Town improvement plan.—A plan for an extensive building programme in and around the
Customs square, which is the centre of Manama town, was prepared, and approved by His Highness,
towards the end of the year. The work which is to be done will probably take three years to complete,
it includes the following items:—

1. Reclamation of the sea lying between the customs pier and the Hilal Building up to
what used to be the pier head before the extension in 1358 (1939-40). This work
was given out to contract by tender and was undertaken by a local firm of contractors,
Minasian Bros., for Rs. 1,28,000. The reclamation was begun during 1365*
2. Removal of the metal pier shed which now occupies a large part of the shore end of the
pier and erection of a new pier shed on the land reclaimed from the sea.

3. Construction of a new passport office on the pier and a building in which passengers
luggage can be inspected and new pier gates and entrance.

4. The import shed, which was built about 40 years ago, is situated inside the town with a
frontage along the principal street of the bazaar. It covers an area of about 40,000
square feet and is connected with the pier by a trolley system which crosses the customs
square, this arrangement is both dangerous and inconvenient. The new scheme in­
cludes the demolishing of the import shed and the construction of a new shed, of
identical size, on the reclaimed land west of the pier, the roofs of both the customs
sheds to be made of asbestos sheeting, in place of corrugated iron, with stone walls
and cement floors. The wooden roof struts of the old import shed are to be utilised
to carry the roof of the new shed.
5. The main bazaar street to be widened and a line of nine modern shops to be constructed
on the western side of the street on the site bf the eastern part of the Import Yard
and at a later da'te offices or flats on the first floor above the shops.