-14-? HON .GBORGS COiaS- Hon . George Coles was born September 1610, eldest son of James and Sarah Coles. In 1829> he visited Kngland, and while there he married Miss Mercy Haine of Somerset„ He became interested- in the brewery and distilling business. Brawn into public life, it was not long before his ability as a leader of men was recognised. He entered the provincial Legislature in 1842, representing and DeSable districts. He represented Port Augustus dis¬ tricts for the last ten years of his public life, at a time when political life was dominated by a "Family Compact". This he fought strenuously. From the first, Coles was a strong advocate of Responsible Government, and became the leader of the Liberal party. With the co-operation of Hon . Joseph Howe , Mr. Coles succeeded in interesting Hon . Edward Ihelan in our provincial political affairs. Coles could never have been what he was, nor accomplished what he did, without the advice and assistance of Ihelan , and Whelan could not have occupied the position he gained, but for his association with Coles* In 1848, Coles visited the United States, and be¬ came interested in a Free School System? thereafter the Liberal policy in Prince Sdward Island was based on Responsible Government % Free Education! and Free Land. The first, Responsible Government, was gained in 1851, and a measure of Free^Bdajoatiaa. in 18541 these re¬ forms were gained in face of great difficulties. When the Land Question came under fire, it was attacked in a practi¬ cal way, A Land Purchase Act was passed, and as a first result, two of the largest estates => the Morell and Selkirk lands,-were purchased and sold in small parcels, enabling the tenants to become freeholders. In 186?, he ?ras Presi- dent of the Executive Council and Colonial Secretary for the Colony. Coles, due to the heavy and continuous strain of his public life, was compelled, to retire as a semi-invalid, some years before his death in 1875. The "Island Argus" of August 1875 paid the following tribute to Hon . George Coles "The brightest star that illumines the pages of the politi¬ cal history of his native province". Called the Father of Responsible Government, he was a self-made manf when he was young, means of education were scant. To Mr0Coles we are indebted for some of the best measure on our statute books.