Choosing a site for the Priaulx Library, 1887

Proceedings in the States of Guernsey, from The Guernsey magazine; a monthly illustrated journal of useful information, instruction, and entertainment, January 1887

The question of the Priaulx Library came next, several modifications being suggested in the original contract, in accordance with the recent suggestions of the donor, Mr Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx.

The propositions to which the States were asked to  give their consent were: The sale (bailler à rente) of  the Candie Estate, reserving a sufficient portion for  the site of the library; the vesting of such purchase money in the hands of the trustees for the maintenance of the library; the sanctioning of an expenditure of £3,000 for erecting premises suitable for the library; and the authorisation of the Supervisor to pass such of the above contracts as should be decided upon.

 These several propositions were in substance voted.    The States being empowered-subject to the ratification by Mr Priaulx-to sell the Candie Estate, reserving sufficient land for the site of the library; to vest the purchase money in trustees, who should     apply the annual proceeds to maintaining the library; and to expend the sum of £3,000 in erecting the necessary buildings for the reception of the books and the accommodation of readers. An animated discussion took place as to what would be the best site for the library, although that question was not one which the meeting could do more than refer to Mr. Priaulx for his further consideration. Jurat Allez, Jurat Tardif, and the Rev. T. Bell, and others strongly advocated the building of the Priaulx Library adjacent to the Guille-Allès Library, in the Market Place. By this course the two institutions would mutually aid and supplement each other, and the site of the Market Hotel and the Queen's Weights would answer admirably for the purpose. They urged that this suggestion should be communicated to Mr. Priaulx.

 Jurat De Vic Tupper said he had received a letter from Mr. Priaulx, in which that gentleman insisted that his library should be built on the Candie estate. Jurat Jeremie considered it would be better at Candie than in the Market Place. It was chiefly intended  for students, as a reference library, while the Guille- Allès Institution appealed to general readers as a circulating library. Mr. Carrington, on behalf of the Town Douzaine, was strongly in favour of the Candie site, as well as for turning the rest of the grounds into a public garden. Mr. N. Ferguson supported this view, and suggested that the grounds might be called the Victoria Gardens, in honour of the Queen's Jubilee. Some further discussion ensued upon this phase of the question, and also as to whether the revenue accruing from the property and the invested funds would be sufficient to adequately  maintain the library in good working order. Ulti mately, as we have mentioned above, the various propositions were voted, and it was understood that when the result of the meeting is communicated to Mr. Priaulx, he would also be made aware of the opinion held by those members who think that a site adjoining the Guille-Allès Library would be the most useful position for this institution.