- 66 -and Damanhur, Abu al-Matamir, Zawiyat Safar, and Hosh Isa, and Abu al-Zarayir, 400, 400. 140 cubic meters. And 34 new bridges were built, and 55 sluices and the canal were modified, etc. And six dredgers worked in the General Drain, Al-Sharashira, and Al-Nubariya, excavating 738,000 cubic meters. Each of them excavated about 800 cubic meters per day for ten hours. A dredger was brought from Sudan to Alexandria in mid-April, excavating 700 cubic meters per day if it worked for ten hours, to assist the aforementioned dredgers. The example began its installation, and its hull was launched at the end of August, and it is now almost ready for work. Three-quarters of the channel, which was dug to distribute water from Talya Lux and Sila, has been completed, with a length of 960 meters. Expenditures during the year amounted to 12,860 Egyptian pounds. Work proceeded with diligence on studying irrigation and drainage projects in this region, in addition to the aforementioned works.

(3) Works for the conversion of basins Work continued on paying compensation for excavation and filling. The Irrigation Department worked on studying the distribution of surplus summer water in Upper Egypt, following the project intended to irrigate 125,000 feddans with summer irrigation in addition to what is currently irrigated. This work is being carried out by reducing the requests submitted by companies and estates for licenses to install lifting machinery. In Lower Egypt, attention was directed to determining the levels of lands draining into the Bahr al-Baqar drain in Sharqia. Irrigation officials, in agreement with survey officials, worked, and the result was a general map of the Egyptian governorate showing land levels. The Ministry of Public Works is currently preparing this map.

16 - Public Railways The following railways were established during the year at the expense of the provincial councils: (1) A railway from Benha to Minyat al-Qamh in Qalyubia and Sharqia. (II) A railway from Bilha to Tanta in Gharbia.