File 8/9 Annual Report on the State of Bahrain for the year AH 1351 [‎64r] (132/200)

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(Bahrain Elec. Supply)
xJ-thougn under no obligation to surply this, the govern
ment ? m order to help the Imperial ixirways as much as
possible, agreed to run when required, which very often
meant two or three days a week, due to the nir mails
being late on account of bad weather.
Public telephones.— The government of Bahrain,
in coni unction with the Manamaji Municipality, decided
to instal a telephone system in the town of Manamah,
using a central exchange. This scheme has been carried
out by the electrical department and at the end of 1351
twenty lines had been connected and two were in course
of erection. The scheme has proved a great convenience
and as time goes on, the local exchange will probably
be linked with the Bahrain Petroleum Coy T s camp, which
is at the nearest point some fourteen miles distant.
The Gamp already has six internal telephones and will
in time have many more.
It is also honed that enough subscribers will be^
forthcoming in the town of MuEarrak to warrant running
a trunk line across the sea.
Until now only two applications have been received
from Muharrak.
Two rates are available to subscribers, one a flat
rate of ks 150/- per annum and the other Rs 45/- per
annum plus one anna a call of six minutes duration.
The former is the most popular. “
Prosuects for 1352.— although it is difficult to
make a forecast at present, it can reasonably be assumed
that wiring, (with consequent additional load) will
uroceed, if not faster, at the present rate, during
1352. It is also honed that tne sale of appliances
will increase. Should the economic^situation become
easier, then many more consumers v/ill come forward.
There are enough notential consumers in Manamah and
Muharrak to make the^ undertaking a good paying propo
sition, but the universal cry is that they at present
have no money.
General.— The department carried put all the govt,
car renairs as heretofore, and in addition to the
wiring contracts in Manamah and Muharrax, carried out
the wiring of the new olfices, etc. of tne Banrain
Petroleum Co. at the Jebel Dukhan and v>heir telephone
system.
A durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). was held in Manamah during the month of
Shawaal 1351, in honour <?f H.E.Shaikh Hamad and for
three days t&e town was illuminated spme 70G oxtra
lights being erected on public and private buildings.