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'Government of Bahrain Annual Report for Year 1358 (February1939 - February 1940)' [‎125r] (7/86)

The record is made up of 1 volume (42 folios). It was created in 1940. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

Transcription

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General Review.
The revenue of the State of Bahrain, the prosperity and almost the existence
of the country, depends upon oil and pearls and neither the production nor the
markets of these two commodities are controlled by the Bahrain Government.
Both the oil industry and the pearl industry are likely to be affected by the
European war. Although the war started in the eighth month of the Arabic year
which is under review the disturbed conditions in Europe prior to the war affected
Bahrain during the summer: no foreign buyers made important purchases of pearls
during the year and the only activity in the Bahrain pearl market was caused
by local merchants who gambled on the possibility of war causing a boom in pearls,
as was the case in 1914-15.
The royalty from oil in 1358 was Rs. 32,35,000 which was Rs. 3,00,000 less
than in 1357. The total revenue was Es. 45,78,000 which was Rs. 2,33,000 less
than in 1357. Expenditure in 1358 was Rs. 36,75,000 including the gift of 4 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
to the British Clovernment as a war contribution, Rs. 1,36,000, which was spent
on purchasing rice as a war measure and payments to the Ruling Family amounting
to Rs. 15,16,000. The total expenditure in 1357 was Rs. 31,00,000. In spite
of less revenue and greater expenditure it was possible to add 10 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees to the Reserve
Fund during the year bringing it up to Rs. 49,98,000.
In the budget for 1358 I anticipated a serious decrease in customs revenue
owing to developments on the mainland : the actual decrease was slight. I also
assumed that 4 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees would be received in payment for an oil concession over the
additional area but the payment was not made during the year.
In the budget for 1359, which is the 14th budget that I have had the honour
to submit, I anticipate a revenue of 45 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , expenditure of 32 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees and a
contribution to the Reserve Fund of 13 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . Provision has been made for the
cost of additional defence measures, for completing the Manamah-Muharraq
causeway and bridge, the state hospital and for expansion of the technical and
other schools.
Conditions in Bahrain during the year were quiet. There was only one serious
crime and no recrudescence of the political disturbances which ocurred in 1357.
At the outbreak of war the Government took immediate steps to control the prices
and the supplies of foodstuffs and necessities. This action was appreciated by the
public and was imitated, rather late in the day, by neighbouring Arab States. The
Government purchased 3,000 bags of rice from Rangoon in order to ensure a supply
for the population in case of a shortage of food. Part of the rice was sold during
the year and the remainder will be sold early in 1359.
His Highness Shaikh Sir Hamad at the beginning of the war and on
subsequent occasions expressed his sympathy with the cause of the Allies and placed
the resources of his state at the disposal of the British Government.
The most important local event during the year was the visit to Bahrain
of His Majesty King Abdulaziz al Faisal al Sa'ud who was accompanied by many
of his sons and ministers. His visit demonstrated the friendly relations existing
between the Rulers of Bahrain and Sa'udi Arabia.
During the summer His Highness Shaikh Hamad spent a few weeks in
Simla and Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa paid a visit to New York, being the first
Bahrain Arab to visit America.
There has been no change in the relations between Bahrain and Qattar.
Bahrain,
April 1940.
C. DALRYMPLE BELGRAVE

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Content

This volume is the Annual Report of the Government of Bahrain for the year 1358 AH (1939-1940) and gives te details of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Bahrain State and contains notes on the activities of the various Government departments, as well as the budget 1359 and some particulars of importance which took place in Bahrain during the year. It includes text, photographic images and tables. The report appears to be compiled from reports from various Government departments and officials. An Index appears on folio 122r, followed by a General Review by Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, dated April 1940 (folio 125r).

The contents are divided into the following sections and sub-sections:

  • Budget 1358 (folios 126r-127v);
  • Summary of Revenue and Expenditure 1358 (folio 128r);
  • Statetment of Revenue and Expenditure 1358 (folio 128v);
  • Notes on Revenue 1357 (folio 129r);
  • Notes on Expenditure 1357 (folios 129r-130v): Allowances to Ruling Family, Adviserate, Customs Department, Judicial, Awkaf [Awqāf] and Minors Departments, Public Works Department, Land Department, Passport Department, Oil Gauging, Transport Department, Public Health, Education, Municipalities, Agriculture, Departmental expenses, Unforseen, Public Protection, Armaments, Transport, King [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] Ibn Sa'ud's visit, Food Supplies, and Public Works (Manamah-Muharraq Swing Bridge, Hospital Building, Manamah Pier extension, Pier Trolley Lines, Fort, Education Department, Transport Department, Passport Office, Miscellaneous, Mosque at Hawar, Kozabia House, Budeya Garden drainage, Annual Repairs, and Road Repairs);
  • The Pearl Industry (folios 130v-131v): The Pearl Industry and Pearl Propaganda;
  • Police and Public Security (folios 132r-133v): Police Administration (Strength, Recruitment, Routine, Defence Duties, Health of the Police, Infant Welfare Clinic, Mounted Sections, Machine Gun Section and Motor Bicycle Section, Buildings, Promotions and Appointments), Naturs, Traffic Control and Crime;
  • Public Health (folios 133v-139r): Appointment of Staff, The Village Dispensaries, Health (Malaria, Eye disease, Ear diseases, Respiratory disease, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Venereal disease, Small-Pox, Alimentary diseases, Rheumatic disease, and Gynaecological and Obstetrical diseases), Medical examination of school children (Boys' Schools and Girls' Schools), Health of the Police (Infant Welfare Clinic and Prisoners' Health) and Malaria;
  • Land Registration Department (folio 139r): Registrations, Iranian Property, Island Beacons, and Survey Students;
  • Judicial (folio 139v): Bahrain Courts and Bahrain Small Courts;
  • Municipalities (folio 140r): Anti-Malaria Measures, Widening and Constructing town roads, New Road, Water Cart, Road Metalling, Lease of Markets, Swamp Reclamation, and Miscellaneous;
  • Wakf [Waqf] Department (folio 140v): Shia Wakf Department and Sunni Wakf Department;
  • Education (folios 140v-141r): School Reforms and appointment of Director of Education, Technical Schools, and Female Education;
  • Minors Department, (folios 141r-141v);
  • Food Control, report by A C Byard (folios 142r-143v);
  • King Ibn Sa'ud's Visit to Bahrain (folios 143v-145r);
  • Passport Department (folios 145r);
  • Public Works Department (folios 145r-148r): Recurrent Expenditure, Non-Recurrent Expenditure (Manamah Muharraq Causeway and Bridge, Manamah Pier Extension, State Hospital, Fort, Government Schools, Transport Building, Passport Office and Post Office, New entrance and stairs at Manamah Palace, and Hawar Mosque), Works not provided for in 1358 budget (Rifle Range, Jida Island, Idari Spring, Hedd Girls' School and Om Ashaoom Spring);
  • General (folios 148r-148v): New Appointments, Local Newspaper and Cinema, H.H.'s visit to India, Press and Broadcast propaganda, Catholic Church, Government Rest House, Appointment of a Governmental Representative with the Oil Company, and Shaikh Mohomed bin Isa's [Muḥammad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] visit to New York;
  • Electric Department (folios 148v-150): Electricity Department (Wiring Contracts, Temporary Wiring, Main Extensions, Alteration to Mains, and Air Conditioning), Government Telephone Department, Transport Department, Fire Department, Traffic Section, Government Technical School, New Government Hospital - Naim, Anti Malaria Campaign, Oil Royalty and other gauging, Muharraq Bridge, Financial Position, Electricity Charges, and Prospects for 1359;
  • Profit and Loss Account (folio 151r).
  • Revenue Account (folio 151v);
  • Balance Sheet (folio 152r);
  • Statement of Energy Sold (folio 152v);
  • Customs Department, report by Mr C C L de Grenier, Director of Customs and Port Officer (folios 153rv-159r);
  • Budget 1359 (folios 160r-161r);
  • Notes on Estimated Revenue 1358 (folios 161v);
  • Notes on Estimated Expenditure 1358: (folios 161v-162v).

Illustrations appear on four folios and they are labelled as follows:

  • Folio 134: 'The Government Hospital, with labels Men’s wing in progress (left) and Women’s wing (right)';
  • Folio 136: 'The Government Hospital: The Women’s Wing from the west';
  • Folio 144: 'H.M. King Ibn Sa’ud inspecting the guard of honour, accompanied by H.H. Shaikh Hamad';
  • Folio 147: 'H.M. King Ibn Sa’ud and H.H. Shaikh Hamad, on the palace’s new flight of steps'.

On the front cover there is an inscription that reads 'Printed at the Times Press, Basrah', as well as a note in pen that reads 'Confidential' (folio 122r).

Extent and format
1 volume (42 folios)
Arrangement

This file contains an index (folio 122r) which references pages of the report.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: Folios 122-164.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Government of Bahrain Annual Report for Year 1358 (February1939 - February 1940)' [‎125r] (7/86), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/750/4, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024140827.0x000032> [accessed 25 April 2024]

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