'File 19/116 VIII (C 34) Bahrain Miscellaneous' [‎11r] (23/124)

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A ' PROGRESSIVE SHEIKH.
BAHREIN GOING AHEAD.
Ensuring Fresh-Witer Supply,
was
(Fkom Our Own Corriipondikt.)
Baghdad, Tuesday.
A visitor to Baghdad, who
recently in Bahrein, has much to say in
commendation of Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa
al-Kalifa, the go-head ruler of the
islands.
Sheikh Hamad recently returned
from a visit to England, where he was
received by His Majesty King George.
While he was in England he was given
many opportunities of seeing different
factories at work turninaj out the many
kinds of articles which help to make up
the sum-total of British-made goods.
He also frequently visited the Empire
Exhibition.
Sheikh Hamad came back full of
zeal and eagnerness to apply some of the ■
icfoas garnered abroad for the benefit of
his people, and to relieve eoms of tho j
more pressing needs of Bahrein.
Fresh-Water Supply.
The first move was to secure the very
best technical advice as to the possibility
of securing an adquate fresh-water supply
for the two principal towns, Manamah
and Moharraq. These towns are situated
on two different inlands.
The water supply in the past, for the
town of Moharraq, which has a popula
tion of approximately 25,000, had been
obtained from fre^h-water springs issuing
in the sea. The wafer from this source
was alwayn brackish, but not nearly §0
brackish a-? would be supposed considering
the source whence it came.
The report of the technical experts
recommended that boring bo undertaken
with a view to inttrcepfeing the spring
waters before they emerged into the sea.
This advice was acted on, and two ex
perimental wells were tontracted for, one
on Manama Island and the other on
Moharraq Island.
Intertsling Results.
The two wells were completed in the
latter months of la^t year, and they gave
most interesting results.
In the Manaman well fresh water of
good quality was struck in the seven-
inch borehole at the depth of a little less
than 250 feat below the surface. The
flow of water is approximately 6,000
gallons an hour, and it rises 11 feet
above the surface of the ground. In the
Moharraq well fresh water was struck at
a depth ol 21S feet below the surface.
The w iter from this well is of excelloRt
quality, being beautifully clear and pure.
This is the first drinking water that
has ever been found on Moharraq. The
well is sunk in the centre of the town.
The water rises 14 feet about the surface
and the well, which is lined with five-
inch piping to within a few feet of the
water-bearing zone, yields about 4 ,000
gallons of water per hour.
Anxious To Taste It,
AVheu the water was firbt struck in
Moharraq it seemed to become known to
the inhabitants of the town like magic.
In less than an hour the well and all
roads leading to it became crowded with
people anxious to taste the water.
Sheikh Hamad has now decided to
put down from 10 to 20 additional wells
in the liope that the drinking-water
supply of the towns will be made secure
for all time.
The cost of water in the past to the
inhabitants of Bahrein and Moharraq
town exceeded Rs. 200,000 per annum.
When the full scheme of well-boring is
completed the people will receive their
water without payment of any kind.
Truly this is a magnificent gift for any
ruler to make to his people, and it. is not
to be wondered at that Sheikh Hamad is
loved, and almost worshipped, by hia
people.
And Roads Too.
In addition to the water-supply
road-making machinery has been
imported, and there are now more than
40 miles of good roads in use in Bahrein.
A few years ago roads did not exist.
It is a sign of the times that there are now
more than 100 motor-cars and lorries on
the islands, whereas 18 months ago there
was none.
Sheikh Hamad is fortunate in his
political advisers, as both Colonel
Prideaux, tho Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Major C. K. Daly, the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrein, have assisted
and encouraged Sheikh Hamad in every
way to inaugurate works of public utility.