Wednesday, September 4, 2024

THOMAS FRAME FLETCHER

Thomas Frame Fletcher was born about 1845 in London, England to John Fletcher, a retired gentleman, and Mary nee Frame. He arrived in Australia in 1866 an spent time in Victoria and New Zealand as well as Gulgong. On 21 September 1876, at age 35, he married Annie Elizabeth Cannon. Their children included:
  • Annie Bertha Fletcher - born abt 1878
  • Gladys Oroya Fletcher
  • Thomas Frame Fletcher - born 29 December 1892 in Gulgong
  • Marjory/Marjorie - born 1893 at Gulgong (NSW BDM 15950/1893)
  • Olive - born 13 February 1895 at Gulgong
  • Winifred - born 1897 at Manly (NSW BDM 13842/1897)
  • one female (deceased)
Thomas died aged 61 on 22 September 1908 from "HIS OWN ACT, EXPLODING EXPL SUB UND HEAD". He was buried at Gulgong Cemetery (C of E section).


NEWS ITEMS

1889 - [ENGLISH SYNDICATE]
Mr. Frame Fletcher who has just returned from England, and represents a wealthy English syndicate, commenced sinking to-day on a lease of 500 acres in the Rouse Guntawang paddock. The shaft is south-west of the old workings. Negotiations for the purchase of machinery have been commenced, and a number of men are employed. William Fletcher and party are repairing the old shaft on Mallinson's reef at three-mile, and intend testing the ground at a greater depth than the last party, who abandoned the claim through the reef pinching in despite the fact that the gold had not run out. Hasankam and party expect to get through the basalt this week at the Scandinavian mine. Altogether mining matters are looking up.

1889 - MINING INTELLIGENCE
Frame Fletcher, manager of Rouse's Paddock Company, is pushing work ahead, and reports that the working shaft is timbered over 60ft. through basalt, now hard and requires shooting. The Canadian plant purchased will be shifted shortly. Fifteen hands are employed.

1890 - [ADVERISEMENT]
DIAMOND DRILL or other Boring Machine, complete, wanted immediately, purchase or hire. Apply personally up to 12 o'clock, Saturday, 28th instant. Frame Fletcher. Imperial Hotel, Wynyard-st., after that Gulgong.
Source:  The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Fri 27 Jun 1890 Page 8

1890 - MINING
In all probability the Mining Board will visit Gulgong in a week or so. Mr. Frame Fletcher has received a definite promise from the Minister for Mines of the use of a diamond drill for operations in Rouse's Lagoon Paddock, and as Mr. Slee is to report on the matter without delay, it is not unlikely that he will visit the spot previous to giving the report, and to facilitate matters will doubtless then attend to applications for aid from the prospecting vote.

1890 - [WEIGHTY MACHINERY]
A portion of machinery weighing five tons, in connection with the diamond drill, arrived this afternoon, and was at once taken to the lagoon paddock owned by Messrs. Rouse, and leased by Frame and Fletcher on behalf of an English company. It took 36 bullocks to draw the waggon from the main road to the site of the bore. The roads are frightful. The waggon was bogged all yesterday. The remainder of the machinery, nine tons, will arrive in a few days.

1890 - [EXPENSES]
About 5 tons of the machinery belonging to the diamond drill arrived in Gulgong, and was taken at once to the Lagoon paddock by Mr. Frame Fletcher. There was a great difficulty in doing so, as the ground was so boggy. All expenses in putting down the bore will be defrayed by Mr. Fletcher. Three experienced men have arrived to erect and work the machinery. Enterprise like this company is showing deserves success.

1890 - [DRILL NEWS]
The diamond drill has been erected in Rouse's paddock, and men are now engaged in sinking to find out the depth of alluvial which overlies the rock which the drill is to pierce through. If Mr. Frame Fletcher's drill strikes a deep lead, it will mean employment for thousands of miners, as it will assuredly run for miles.

1890 - [BORING]
At Rouse's paddock in Mr. Frame Fletcher's London Co.'s mine matters are at present assuming a very favorable aspect, and all hands after months of weary prospecting, are now becoming more sanguine of success. A drive of 200ft. in length has been put in in a northerly direction, the bottom of which remained almost level. Another drive, 100ft. in length, was put in to the south; also a lengthy drive in the east. After driving 30ft. to the westward a big dip is noticeable, and a large body of water has been met with. A contract has just been let to put in a drive of 150 feet from the northern to the western drive . . . . At the Lagoon paddock where the diamond drill is in use, the 1st bore bottomed at 151ft. from surface, basalt 90ft., about 30ft. of alternate layers of sand drifts and 2 clay bands with a few feet of small gravel on the bottom, which is slate of a soft friable character, and which was bored into 12 feet to make sure of bottom. The next bore will start 250ft across the basalt run and will most likely strike wash.

1890 - MINING GOSSIP
At Rouse's paddock, Gulgong, in Mr. Frame Fletcher's London Co.'s mine, matters are at present, we learn, assuming a very favourable aspect, and all hands after months of weary prospecting, are now becoming more sanguine of success.
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Sat 15 Nov 1890 Page 20

1890 - [SECOND ATTEMPT]
The diamond drill in charge of Mr. Voy, the manager, is getting on well with the second bore in Rouse's Lagoon paddock. The party are down about 100ft at presents and if successful in striking the deep channel or gutter in this their second attempt to find the deep ground and payable gold, the, London syndicate, of which that energetic and plucky spirited manager, Mr. Frame Fletcher, may feel well pleased with their mining venture. Under the management of that gentleman, the discovery of gold by the diamond drill will open up a large extent of country to mining speculators, and give employment to hundreds of miners.

1891 - [PROGRESS]
In the Guntawang paddocks Mr. Frame Fletcher, the manager for the English companies, is following a trail of gold along a siding at a depth of 180ft. A few ounces of very rich quality are got every week, and some nice little nuggets are included in the takes. Mr. Fletcher is quite confident that the yield will improve as it is followed. In the Lagoon paddock the third bore is now down 100ft. The rock is milder, and better progress is being made. Not far from this four men have started to sink in an outcrop of basalt, with the hope of bottoming on a siding. One shaft has been put down, and a second is in progress.
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 21 Feb 1891 Page 438

1891 - [THIRD BORE]
The third bore by the diamond drill for Mr. Frame Fletcher, manager of the London Company, in Mr. Rouse's paddock, is down nearly 176 feet. If unsuccessful in this bore Mr. Fletcher intends carrying on boring operations in the same locality. Mr. Fletcher is, without exception, the most persevering and spirited mining manager Gulgong has had since its discovery as a goldfield. He is leaving no stone unturned to develop and obtain payable gold from the deep and untried leads around Gulgong. His success will give employment to some hundreds of men, and cause Gulgong and its sleepy inhabitants to waken up once more.

1891 - [SHOW SOCIETY]
At a meeting of the Agricultural Association last night, Mr. S. T. Bishop, J.P., chairman, the date of the show was definitely fixed for May 15 and 16. Mr. C. R. Young's motion) that Messrs. R. Rouse, of Gun tawang, E. J. Lowe, of Birriwa, G. Stewart, of Pine Ridge, C. M. Lowe, of Yamble, and Frame Fletcher be appointed additional vice-presidents, was carried.
Since the last meeting a number of special gifts and prizes have been received.
The weather has cleared; the country is looking splendid; there are large crops of corn.
Our Gulgong correspondent writes: —
Since the discovery of the Gulgong gold field nothing of so much importance in the shape of a gold discovery has taken place to advance the mining industry of Gulgong as the recent discovery of payable gold in the bore being put down in Mr. Rouse's Lagoon Paddock. The work has been carried on under the direction of Mr. Frame Fletcher, the energetic mining manager of a London company, on whose behalf he has carried on mining operations for some years.
The present bore from which payable prospects were obtained is 154 feet to the main bottom, and has sunk through a good depth of wash with very encouraging prospects. This is the fifth bore that Mr. Vey, who has charge of the diamond drill, has put down for Mr. Fletcher to test that portion of the untried leads of gold around Gulgong, and to thoroughly test the payable nature of the ground.
Preparations are now being made to put down another bore some distance from the last bore to ascertain the extent or width of payable gold and the depth of the ground before sinking a main shaft. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Fletcher for the way he has persevered under trying and difficult circumstances. He has not only made a good discovery for the company he represents, but it will also be the means of bringing thousands of pounds capital to develop the line of country where the present discovery was obtained. It will also be the means eventually of giving employment to hundreds of miners, and bring about in the course of time a good deal of that prosperity, Gulgong enjoyed in it palmiest days.

1891 - [ACCOMPLISHED]
A wire from Gulgong says:— The Government diamond drill which has been engaged under contract for the past 15 months boring in the lagoon paddock, on an area of 1081 acres leased by the English registered company, has successfully accomplished its work under the direction of Messrs. Frame and Fletcher [sic]. Eight bores have been put down on the bed rock, the average depth being 160ft., the hard
basalt averaging 120ft. The course of the channel can now be traced. Washdirt from two feet to 3ft. 8 in. has been struck in three bores, showing, prospects from one ounce to two ounces, per load. There is a distance of 1¾ miles in a straight line between the bores sunk through washdirt.
A complete outfit of compressed air rock drilling plant is now being obtained in order to sink a series of working shafts. This means the employment of a large number of miners in the near future. No Government aid has been granted for this prospecting work.

1891 - [SYNDICATE INVESTMENT]
Like many of our old goldfields, there is, however, MUCH IN GULGONG AT THE PRESENT TIME that is of interest, and it is this : The old leads were most of them very rich, viz., the Happy Valley, the Black Lead, Home Rule, the Canadian and others, and were left by the miners on account of the gold running out, as it seemed, in some, and in some because the lead ran into deep and wet ground ; but who can tell but that this deep and wet ground may be as good or better than the shallow and dry. It requires money and time to open up such claims, and the working miner has hitherto not been able to give either to such work. Of late, however, impressed with the great probability of there being large deposits of gold left in these old leads, a gentleman (Mr. Frame Fletcher), a mining engineer and a practical miner, has been to England and formed A SYNDICATE IN LONDON, with ample capital to carry on operations, to bore and sink at likely places at and near the old leads. He has three mining undertakings in hand at Gulgong, all entirely supported by English capital, and they strike us as each some what promising speculations, and the companies or syndicates formed to work them as being based upon fairly sound principles. The Lagoon Paddock Co. is in that form which we have so often advocated as preliminary to a large company, viz., a small prospecting syndicate. The English speculators were told there was a fair chance to open up a rich lead of gold in New South Wales at Gulgong, and they were requested to find a few thousand pounds to try the ground. If the tests gave no encouragement, then the few hundred pounds each member of the syndicate expended were lost and no great harm done. If the tests were success ful, then one or two of the party would in an hour's walk through the Stock Exchange or Capel Court, form a company with a capital, if required, of £100,000.
THIS IS THE KIND OF WAY to approach the English capitalist in respect to our mining enterprises in Australia, and our belief is were it adopted instead of putting old and used up mines on the market, as has been our practice, we might, through the aid of persons going to England who were well accredited have as much English money for mining in our colony as we liked. The Lagoon Co.'s property consists of 1081 acres, being a paddock belonging to Mr. Rouse, of Mudgee, and leased for a long term on a royalty. Eight bores have been put down, and two have disclosed good prospects of gold in three feet six inches of wash, and at a depth of 150 feet. The syndicate will now commence a shaft and erect pumping machinery to contend with the water, which will be heavy. They will have a heavy piece of work too in the shaft, as the sinking will be through solid basalt for a great distance, and our mining readers well know what that means but the English capital is available, and it seems as if the management in the colony would be BOTH SKILFUL AND ECONOMICAL.

1891 - [BLACK LEAD]
A shaft 10 x 6 is being put down by Mr. Frame Fletcher's London Co., at Rouse's Lagoon paddock where, recently such encouraging prospects were obtained by the Diamond Drill. The machinery for use at this mine is expected here next week and comprises all the latest inventions such as compressed air drills, &c. Mr. Fletcher also holds the long abandoned though highly thought of No. 44 ground Black Lead under lease, and although no one has ever done so much towards developing the hidden resources around this field that Mr. Fletcher has, it is surprising to see and hear a few 'duffers' so patiently displaying their envious and dog-in-the-manger dispositions by endeavouring with arguments that pan out about a grain of common sense to the ton of envy, to induce people to raise a cry to have labor conditions fulfilled. With the exception of these few, there is not a genuine miner or business man on the field but what are' of the opinion that if Mr. Fletcher needed years of time with his leases he is justly entitled to that, and other concessions, for his experienced and systematic endeavour to test the deep leads.

1891 - IMPORTANT MINING DISPUTE.
The Warden, Mr. Wotton, paid Gulgong a visit on Friday, and took evidence in the case of C. E. Hilton and others v. Wonnacott and Party, in which about 200 miners objected to the leases south of the Lagoon Paddock, held by Wonnacott. From the evidence of S. H. Haynes and W. Lonergan it appears that if the leases were granted at least 200 miners would be debarred from gaining a livelihood there, as the ground could be worked on the frontage system, it having been proved by the Diamond Drill that a payable lead exists. Frame Fletcher was also called and stated that from his knowledge of the country the individual miner could not cope with the difficulties on this land. If leases are granted and the labor conditions strictly enforced, there is of course more chance of surmounting the difficulties than if the ground is held by the individual miner. The inquiry was then adjourned.
Source: Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal  Thu 12 Nov 1891 Page 3

1891 - [MINING]
The Black Lead is shortly to get a fair trial, as Mr Frame Fletcher, manager of the London Company, is about startingmining operations there, so that there is every chance now of the Black Lead being thoroughly tested, as it is one of the best mining ventures in the district. Success may attend his efforts to keep the pick and shovel going, and with profitable results to the company he represents.
Source:  Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal Sat 14 Nov 1891 Page 3

1891 - [FLETCHER'S BROTHER]
Work is progressing at the sinking of the three main shafts for the London Company under the management of Mr. Frame Fletcher, and a good number of hands are employed to carry on sinking operations. — The erection of machinery on the main shaft now sinking on the Black Load, and the new shaft being sunk in Mr. Rouse's paddock will also give employment to a large number of hands. — The shaft being sunk in the Lagoon paddock, where the diamond drill was successful in getting payable prospects in its boring operations, is already provided with the necessary machinery to carry on the operations.— A brother of Mr. Fletcher's has the management of the shaft going down on the Black Lead. The old field is beginning to look lively again, and a good number of strangers are knocking about here lately, some of whom may be induced to prospect some of the surrounding country yet untried. — Although some of our local preachers, or mining prophets, says that the country is worked out as far as gold is concerned, there will not only be good payable gold got there, but new goldfields will yet be discovered in New South Wales when those melancholy prophets are dead and gone.
 
1892 - [WATER CONCERNS]
The London Company's shaft in the Lagoon Paddock is about through the rock at a depth of 126 feet. The shaft has been sunk close by where the last diamond drill boring operations were carried on in the sinking of this shaft so long. They have had about 95 feet of solid rock, which has been sunk through on the compressed air principle. A further depth of about 25 feet ought to reach the bottom, from which payable prospects were reported by the boring operations. As they are not likely to have a great body of water to contend against, it will not take many weeks to sink to the depth required and prove the payable nature of the ground. The same company's other main shaft, which is being sunk on the west side of 44 Black Lead, is down at present about 125 feet and still boring through the solid rock, there being a heavy body of rock in the locality where they are putting down the shaft. They have no water to contend against up to the present, but are likely to have some trouble from that useful but troublesome underground agent before reaching the bottom. The manager (Mr. Frame Fletcher) has been in Sydney purchasing the requisite machinery for the ground.

1892 - [THREE COMPANIES]
Much stronger, much more independent and courageous than the ventures related above are the proceedings of Mr. Frame Fletcher during the last three years with English capital in the work of searching for Gulgong's deep leads. This gentleman, by birth an Englishman and well connected, came to Australia in the year 1866. He worked in Victoria, New Zealand, and this colony.
Three months were spent at Bingera in the diamond fields there, and 10 years have been devoted to Gulgong. After seven years' experience in the Gulgong mines Mr. Fletcher had learned enough to convince him that there was something worth looking for under the deep beds of basalt in which good runs of Gulgong gold had been left by old miners as unworkable. He returned to England, and had sufficient influence there to enlist the sympathy and the cash of English capitalists for Gulgong's mines. So far did he succeed that three companies, each with a substantial capital, were formed, and since then Mr. Fletcher has been working in a most energetic, economical, practical, and skilful way in striving to bring a fair return to his English friends. He has not yet succeeded in these stupendous tasks, but so far has he advanced that even before this can reach the readers of the Herald success may have been achieved.
1892 - [FAILED]
From Gulgong we learn that Rouse's Lagoon Paddock Company, managed by Mr. Frame Fletcher on behalf of an English proprietary, has suspended working. They are drawing the pumps, having failed to find payable gold. There are eight diamond drill bores on this property, and gold was obtained in three. A number of married men are thrown out of employment.

1892 - The Lagoon Paddock Company, Gulgong.
The information conveyed by telegraph from our Gulgong correspondent that the Rouse's Lagoon Paddock Company, an English proprietary, has ceased operations bears more than ordinary significance. It shows that a bold, well-intentioned, liberal venture has failed, and will have in future a place on the list of the many failures in alluvial gold mining.
The Lagoon Paddock Company was formed in London with a capital of £20,000 to work an area of 1081 acres, for which Mr. George Rouse was to receive £150 per year and 5 per cent, of gross gold raised. Work commenced here on the 15th July, 1890, and a month later there was brought to the ground the Government drill plant, with the arrangement that the company was to pay 16s per foot bored, and find the boiler in wood and water. Eight bores were bottomed in bedrock. The average depth was proved to be 150ft. over an area of 1½ mile. In three bores the bottom rock was slate; in others, granite. Some of the bores reached what appeared to be payable ground. This boring cost the company about £2000. Mr. Fletcher started to sink a shaft on the 8th December, 1891, and, as he knew that an immense bed of basalt had to be pierced, introduced Rand's compressed air-driven rock drill, which, with full plant, cost, landed on the ground, £800. The drill did excellent service, and worked by two shifts of men, six in all, sank through 110ft. of the hardest basalt of which the district can boast. This mass of rock was met with when 20ft. down. The shaft was 10½ft. x 3½ft. in the clear. Below the basalt, there were pierced light class 12ft. in thickness. At this point the water from below burst up very speedily and rose 70ft. A pump working up to 200,000gal. each 24 hours was put on, and after this it was thought judicious to bring over from the Black Lead a big steam plant, bought from the Hon. G. H. Cox. This, with all other requisites for a deep wet shaft working, had a Cornish pump to lift 300,000 gal per day. A better lot of machinery could not be obtained: it cost originally £3000.
We assume that with, this powerful plant much exploration was possible, and that such exploration, has not brought payable gold to light. Some of the oldest miners of Gulgong were from the first dubious about the paddock's prospects, but the late Government Geologist held favourable opinions of the property. We hope that the English capitalists who are engaged with Mr. Frame Fletcher in other parts of Gulgong will have better fortune than what has fallen to the lot of the Lagoon Paddock Company.

1892 - [FURTHER INVESTMENT]
Mr. Frame Fletcher, managing director of the Lagoon Paddock Company, has received a cablegram from London stating that at a general meeting of the company held on 28th October it was resolved to provide £5000 to further develop this property. It is thought that this will prove beyond all doubt the occurrence or otherwise of payable gold at a part of the property where the diamond drill located a well defined channel containing auriferous gravel, resting upon a granite bottom, favourable for economical working.

1893 - [BLACK LEAD]
An English company, sinking on the old 44 Black Lead, managed by Frame and Fletcher [sic], has broken through basalt rock, and will now have no difficulty in bottoming sufficiently.

1893 - [JUNCTION LEAD SYNDICATE]
An important mining industry in Gulgong is the Junction Lead Syndicate, which is a London company under the management of Mr. Frame Fletcher, a gentleman of considerable experience. This mine hitherto has not been a success, mainly through the machinery not being powerful enough to cope with the incoming flow of water, but they are now erecting new machinery...
Source: Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal  Thu 26 Oct 1893 Page 3

1893 - [WANT OF FUNDS]
The Junction Lead's Company, on the Black Lead, is still idle for the want of sufficient capital to carry on operations. Considering that the main shaft is sunk to the required depth, and splendid machinery erected for proving the ground, which is a continuation of the famous and rich Black and Happy Valley Leads, and that good prospects were obtained at one end of the main shaft when bottomed, the stoppage of the mine at the time for want of funds was a severe blow to its energetic manager (Mr. Frame Fletcher), who has done so much in the past to develop the deep and untried leads around Gulgong, having obtained a considerable amount of money in the London market for mining purposes. It is to be hoped he will soon have sufficient funds at his disposal to prove the very best mining venture he has had to do with in this district.
Source: Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal Sat 16 Dec 1893 Page 2

1894 - BANKRUPTCY COURT. - Voluntary Sequestrations.
Thomas Frame Fletcher, of Gulgong, miner. Mr. Morris, official assignee.
Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Mon 22 Jan 1894 Page 5

1894 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
FOR SALE, Portable ENGINE (Robey), 15-h.p., double cylinder, link motion, reversing gear, price £250, a bargain. Also Portable Engine (Clayton and Shuttleworth), 10-h.p., single cylinder, link motion, reversing gear, nearly new, and in perfect order, trial allowed, price £220, worth double. Apply to FRAME FLETCHER, Gulgong, N.S.W.

1894 - [BANKRUPTCY.]
Re Thomas Frame Fletcher, of Gulgong; ex parte the bankrupt.
To the Official Assignee and Creditors. TAKE NOTICE that the bankrupt intends to apply to His Honor the Judge in Bankruptcy, at the Court, Chancery square, Sydney, on Monday, the 10th day of December, 1894, at 11 a.m., or as soon afterwards as the course of business will admit, that a certificate of discharge be granted to him, under and according to the provisions of the Act 51 Victoria No. 19.—Dated this 16th day of November, 1894.
HERBERT CLARKE, By Curtiss & Barry, Solicitor, Mudgee.
167, King-street, Sydney.
Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Fri 23 Nov 1894 [Issue No.784] Page 7429

1894 - [PUMPING]
Around Gulgong little activity exists, though in two or three places work is starting or about to be started on a fairly large scale. By cable Mr Frame Fletcher, homeward bound from England, has ordered pumping to be commenced at the Black Lead. A strong party is being formed to develop a fancy spot close to town. On other smaller fields but little is being done, owing to the shearers not having returned to their mining pursuits.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 24 Nov 1894 Page 11

1894 - [CAPITAL]
Mr. Frame Fletcher has returned to Gulgong from England with capital to thoroughly develop several deep leads at Gulgong.
Source:  The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 19 Jan 1895 Page 149

1895 - Births.
FLETCHER.— February 13, 1895, at Gulgong, the wife of Frame Fletcher, of a daughter.
Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Mon 18 Feb 1895 Page 1

1895 - [ANOTHER TRIAL]
Mr Frame Fletcher has made arrangements for another trial of the Perseverance lead, in Guntawang paddocks, and 200 acres have been marked off in view of an early start.
Source: 
  •  
    • The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 23 Feb 1895 Page 10

    1896 - [PERSEVERANCE]
    [T]he only English-owned property now at work is the one under the management of Mr. Frame Fletcher on the Perseverance lead. It is called the Ida syndicate, aud work is being carried on in a thorough and systematic manner. The surface works are of a first-class character, and the machinery consists of a 20-horse power engine and pumping and winding plant.

    1897 - [IDA G.M. SYNDICATE]
    This is probably the heaviest alluvial under taking. The property is situated in the Perseverance Paddock, comprises an area of 200 acres, leased by Mr. Rouse, of Guntawang, to Mr. Frame Fletcher, a gentleman whose name will always be intimately associated with Gulgong deep-lead development. The plant is modern and effective... 
    Blacksmiths and carpenters' shops, stables, store, and manager's residence are erected, and in use...
    Apart from his Gulgong interests, Mr. Fletcher is largely concerned in mining vntures in other localities, notably on the Macquarie, in the vicinity of Hargraves, where he holds a 250-acre alluvial annual gold mining lease, half of which has just been floated for £50,000 on the London market, with £10,000 working capital.
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 13 Feb 1897 Page 27

    1898 - [RENT DUE]
    NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF GOLD-MINING LEASES GRANTED UNDER THE MINING ACT OF 1874. - NOTICE is hereby given that rent is due and owing upon the undermentioned Gold-mining Leases, and unless paid within thirty days from the date hereof, such leases may be cancelled.
    Mudgee Mining District.
    No: 633
    Name: Frame Fletcher
    Portion No: GL 137
    Locality: County of Wellington, parish Hargraves
    Area: 15  0  0
    Application No: Hargraves 226
    It is reported that Mr. Frame Fletcher has come across some nice gold in his Hargraves reef.

    1899 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
    Prospectus of the Linburn Reefing Syndicate.
    To be Registered under the Companies Act.
    CAPITAL £1,000 in 100 Shares of £10 Each.
    Fifty Shares fully paid up will be alloted to the Vendors, Messrs Frame
    Fletcher, of Hargraves, and Henry Allan of Home Rule, in
    full payment of all claims.
    Fifty Shares are offered for Subscription, payable £2 per share on
    application, and £4 per share on allotment, the balance in calls
    of £1 per share at intervals if required of one month.
    All monies subscribed to go to Working Capital, less actual costs
    of legal, advertising and printing expenses.
    Bankers, Commercial Bank, Mudgee.
    Solicitor— C. D. Meares, Esq. Treasure — C. D Meares, Esq.
    Committee of Management (to be appointed).
    This syndicate is being formed to work the property lately held by the Newcastle Perseverance Syndicate, situate at Linburn, Mudgee district. The area is 30 acres, Title, two leases of 15 acres each, being land held under the Mining on Private Property Act of 1895, at a yearly rental of 10s per acre per annum. The sole cause for the suspension of work by tho late syndicate was want of water for crushing purposes. Their dam site proved most unsuitable, catchment very limited, and it leaked badly. These causes, added to the late dry seasons, stopped their operations. A main masterly quartz reef, AVERAGING OVER 4 FEET IN THICKNESS, traverses the entire length of this property. This reef can be traced on surface for upwards of 2 miles, strike north and south, dip to the west, and is outcropping for upwards of 500 feet. On this outcrop the bulk of the late work was done, partly by a large open cut across the reef, and by sinking numerous shafts, one of which at 50 feet in depth cut the reef on the underlie, and proved same to be 4 feet thick, carrying reported very payable gold.
    The late syndicate's receipts of the Bank of New South Wales, Mudgee, for the gold sold by them are now in C. D. Meares', Esq., office and open to inspection. Bulk crushings totalling upwards of 470 tons, taken from all parts, yielded an average of 6 dwts. per ton.  It is known that a large percentage of mullock was included in the crushings from open cut, also that the water used was frequently so thick as to scarcely pass the gratings, hence there must have been a loss of fine gold, so an average yield of 8 dwts. per ton should not be an over estimate of future yields taken out under skilled supervision, especially as Mr. Allan, prospecting this outcrop at a part hitherto untried, quite lately obtained prospects going as high as 30 dwts. per ton. This part, as well as other good looking but untried reefs, on the lease, will be opened up as soon as possible.
    CAREFUL CALCULATIONS SHOW THAT 3 DWTS. PER TON WILL PAY ALL EXPENSES (INCLUSIVE). Stone can be broken out and carted to new battery site at 5s per ton, and engine wood cut and delivered at 8s per cord. The battery is modern and nearly new, and made, at Mort's Foundry, and is a five stamper of 8001bs. each. Carn shaft is 4½in. in diameter, and is specially adapted for adding additional stamps. The battery pump is a 5in. plunger, and will supply water for 15 stamps. The plates, size 3ft. by 4ft. 6in., are in perfect order and ready for use. The shoes and dies are Chrome steel, and a spare set of each is supplied. The 10 h.p. Portable Engine attached to battery is under offer to Vendors at a very low price — about a quarter of cost new, cost of same to be met from capital subscribed.
    To ensure a permanent supply of water all the year round, it is intended to shift battery plant to a very favorable, site on the Linburn Creek, distant 1 mile from the mine, and construct a good damn at a moderate outlay, say £50. Ample water to run a 10 head battery constantly can be depended upon, as by a system of settling pits, in dry times all water will be returned, and it is to enable them to effect these improvements that Messrs. F. Fletcher and H. Allan confidently appeal to the resident public for this moderate amount of working capital.
    From their intimate knowledge of this reef (in Mr. Allan's case extending many years) they are so satisfied of its great prospective value that they are quite willing to accept a paid up interest only in return for their mining rights, battery and other plant now owned by them, which will become the joint property if the Syndicate.
    Mr. Allan is willing to devote his sole time to develop this mine into a paying success soon as possible, and to help keep expenses down will work his shift and generally supervise the whole at a small salary until dividends are being paid. One month from starting in will suffice to complete dam end shift and re-erect Battery ready for crushing, by simultaneous workings, at an estimated cost of £150.
    After properly opening up and equiping the mine, it is estimated that a considerable balance will be in hand for contingencies, in addition to carrying out further prospecting work. 
    In conclusion, Messrs F. Fletcher and H. Allan oonfidently assure intending subscribers, that to the best of their knowledge and belief, this is a certain success from the start of crushing, and will soon become a dividend paying one, the mine being sufficiently opened up to expose a practically unlimited amount of payable stone easily worked. The present battery will crush 60 tons weekly of this stone which is very free milling quartz. At an early date it is proposed to convert each syndicate share into 100 £1 scrip. 
    This prospectus will only appear in the Mudgee Newspapers, and the list closes on MONDAY, 29th May, 1899. If over subscribed, shares will be allotted according to priority of application. Company will be considered formed when £300 is subscribed. If no allotment is made, all monies received will be returned in full. Application for Shares to be made to the Company's solicitor, Mr. C. D. Meares, Esq.

    1899 - [LINBURN]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher was in at the show, and talks of floating a "good show" mining spec on a small scale, close to Mudgee. The mine is at Linburn.
    Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 19 May 1899 Page 14

    1899 - They Say at Gulgong
    That Frame Fletcher is likely to be with us again, having some mining specs. in view, particulars of which are not yet to hand. He was here this week looking round.
     
    1899 - [HARGRAVES]
    At Hargraves, Mr. Frame Fletcher is pushing on rapidly with work on the Eldorado.
    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 4 Aug 1899 Page 8

    1899 - [GULGONG OVERVIEW]
    Miller and party of Perseverance Paddock, have washed twelve loads for 4½dwt. per load. Stien and party, on the edge of the Parramatta claim, found a 5dwt. spec, hut the wash was poor. Seventeen acres have been peggcd out on the Red-hill by Frame and Fletcher [sic], representing an English syndicate, Elliott Brothers have taken up seven acres to the south of Red-hill. About one hundred miles of the Cudgegong River, which was recently pegged outfor dredging runs through private property, and was pegged out without the consent of the owners.

    1899 - [FRESH FIELDS]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher, who deserves greater success in his mining ventures, has his weather eye on fresh fields. So far fortune has withheld her favor on the spirited Englishman, who is large-hearted and enterprising. This is a testimonial from Mudgee side, which Mr. Fletcher might accept with our best wishes and right hand extended.

    1899 - [SALVATION HILL MINE]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher has taken in hand the Salvation Hill Mine at Gulgong, and is confident that he will be able to obtain English capital for its development. Mr. Fletcher tells us there is some wonderfully rich ore in sight, and he has no doubt whatever the mine will improve in depth. About two tons is being forwarded to London.
    Mr. Fletcher himself made a rough chemical assay of the stone in which no free gold was visible, and the result was so satisfactory that he had no hesitation in undertaking to handle the property. It is to be hoped that he will he successful, for no man has been instrumental in bringing more capital into this district.
    Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 8 Sep 1899 Page 14

    1900 - The Red Hill.
    We hear that Mr. Frame Fletcher has acquired extensive gold mining leases on the Red Hill, Gulgong. The property will be thoroughly tested, and we hope it will fully repay the capitalists who show their faith in the old field.

    1900 - [RETURN]
    Mr. and Mrs. Frame Fletcher returned to Gulgong on Saturday last.
    Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 2 Feb 1900 Page 16

    1901 - The Linburn Reef.
    Mr. Frame Fletcher intends to enter into the work of developing the Linburn reef with no small amount of zeal, and that in the very near future. His plant is being removed from Gulgong, and the work of erecting it will be proceeded with immediately. Mr. Fletcher is said to have a deal of English capital at his back in the prosecution of this venture. He also has an unlimited amount of faith in the gold productiveness of this property, which we have reason to believe will now be the first time be systematically worked and tested on its true merits.

    1901 - Off To London.
    We hear that Mr. Frame Fletcher, the well-known mining man, contemplates a trip to London. Mr. Fletcher has been instrumental in bringing a lot of capital into this district, and has had a lot of bad luck. This time we hope the wheel of fortune will bring round something better. Mr. Frame Fletcher's last trip home was to witness the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

    1901 - [SALVATION HILL]
    The Salvation Hill Gold Mining Syndicate have done a large amount of expensive prospecting during the past two years, which has proved be yond doubt that the lode operated upon is a true fissure, and highly auriferous in places. The water difficulty and other obstacles have up to the present been serious items for a local syndicate to contend against. It is gratifying to know that Mr. Frame Fletcher leaves Sydney this month for London with the object of floating this property on the home market.
    There is every probability of success attending his efforts, which, if accomplished, will give employment to a large number of miners and also be the means of proving the oft repeated statement that the famous Gulgong goldfield does contain permanent and payable reefs and lodes at a depth in settled country. The syndicate sold two shares this week at substantial prices. This is evidence that the local purchasers have great faith in the undertaking, the future of which is being watched with deep interest.

    1902 - [NEW SHAREHOLDERS]
    It is reported in Gulgong that Mr. Frame Fletcher has succeeded in floating a company in England to work the Salvation Hill mine. The present holders are offered £20,000 in fully paid up shares. The capital of the company is said to be £50,000.
    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 21 Apr 1902 Page 2

    1903 - [RED HILL]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher, who controls a good deal of English capital, has turned his back on the Salvation Hill, Gulgong, and has pegged out 30 acres on the Red Hill, and states that in a very few months he will have a big lot of men at work.

    1903 - [BAD LUCK]
    The genial Frame Fletcher is a sanguine sort of individual, who for years has been living in the pleasant contemplation of golden holes which only want development. So far his luck has been bad, and the process of development has generally ruined all hopes. Perhaps this is why his recent pegging out of the Red Hill at Gulgong, has not caused that flutter of excitement which one might expect.
    However, Mr. Fletcher himself was never more sanguine, and according to a correspondent if only half the prophesies become true, Gulgong will never know a poor day again. If the old mining township could only be blessed by one decent reef, its future would be assured, because capital would have confidence.

    1903 - [DAMNATION]
    Some mining investors say that Salvation, Hill, Gulgong, was wrongly named, and that the correct name is 'Damnation.' It is, however, no good quarrelling over the matter. It seems as plain as a pike staff that the gold is not there, and manager, Frame Fletcher must be sorely disappointed, because before he went to England he told the writer that it was sure to turn out a regular wonder, and he likened its future to that of the Lucknow mines in their palmiest days. The Gulgong 'Advertiser' reports that Mr. C. E. Hilton has got hold of a foot lode on the Hill, and while it is described as gold bearing no assay results are given. Anyhow, it is to be hoped he has better luck than Frame Fletcher has had.

    1905 - [OPINION]
    On this page will be found a letter from Mr. Frame Fletcher, in which he again directs the breath of his displeasure at the Salvation Hill, Gulgong. Mr. Fletcher decides the judgment, and impugns the motives of those who are sticking to the show, and his judgment may or may not be wrong, but the results of his operations do not encourgo one to place too much faith in his advice. Anyhow the present writer has more faith in the Salvation Hill than in some of its critics.

    1905 - THE SALVATION HILL. A FEW REMARKS FROM MR. FRAME FLETCHER, TO THE EDITOR.
    Sir, —Yours of the 17th instant contains a par. about mining prospects at Salvation Hill, Gulgong. [Less than 12 months back you printed it Damnation Hill, with a big D too, and a disease called Fletcheritis.] If telling the plain truth is a disease, I confess I've had it all my life, and trust to its lasting to my end. The born liars (Gulgong has its share of such pests), need not fear they will ever catch such a complaint. Truth telling I have found, at times, more than akward. Three times have I cabled to London as manager of companies that I had suspended all operations on my own initiative, not waiting even to write even, thus cutting myself off from very liberal salaries from the jump. I cannot imagine any of these born liars, and worse, ever suffering from this complaint.
    To date no ono has followed in my footsteps where I have worked, and found payable gold left by me. This is the naked truth, despite the stream of lies and venom so freely vomited up by those born liars, whenever they thought they had a mug whom would believe them. Those born liars freely and openly expressed their opinion that Fletcher, having no resources, could not, or would not, give the Salvation Hill show away, judging me by their own dirty low standard, the fact being I had already written Mr. R. G. Gibbon, the managing director, to come up at once, "as we were simply burning money."
    Present operations of this notorious spot — this sink hole for money — give me much satisfaction. God's mill grinds slowly, but it grinds small, and in the near future the truth must come out. This sink hole has been more than well tried for some 10 years, and by many unfortunate men. A cash outlay to date of at least £3000, and much lost time by many triers, shows a yield of certainly under 100ozs of gold. I challenge proof of 50ozs, and I'll throw in the 3oz or so now in the toy shop window here. I have read lately about 4dwt and 2dwt assays, also 11oz assays, but the bulk tests will beat the present engineers. Bulk values are talked about, always were in past days, but getting same is another matter. The engineer of the missing link Co., after 8 months labor, brought forth a 5 ton crushing — result, about 1dwt per ton. "But that's alright, dear boy, all my gold is in the tailings," and there it stops. On starting for London I was handed a Mines Department assay of 4lb of ore, reputed to have been taken from this sink hole, showing a result of 72ozs 14dwts of gold per ton, and I still hold the Gulgong paper with this wonderful assay result, as it was truly called. The wonderful part to me now is, having the road clear (and if it is in the water £20 will take that out), that time should be wasted over 4dwt, or even 11oz stuff, when there is 72oz 14dwt ore waiting resuscitation. That's a nut I do want to see cracked.

    1905 - [CULLENGORAL]
    At the Warden's Court, Gulgong last week, Mr. Frame Fletcher was granted an authority to enter Mr. Denne's property at Cullengoral under the provisions of the Mining under Private Lands Act. The rent was fixed at the rate of 5s per acre per annum for an area of five acres.

    1905 - [R W HEARD'S LETTER]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher and the Salvation Hill.
    To the editor.
    Sir, — In the issue of the Mudgee Guardian of the 31st August, I note that Mr. Frame Fletcher is at it again, trying to disparage the Salvation Hill mine. It's no use, Mr. Fletcher, all you can say against the mine will not mar its prospects, or deter the present syndicate in their effort to prove its value. If you were taken seriously by anyone in the district, as an authority on mining, there might be, a show of your damaging the chance of the mine being proved, but, fortunately for legitimate prospecting, no one takes you seriously, or cares one iota for your opinion about any class of mining. You say that no one has ever followed in your footsteps, and obtained gold in any of the mines that you managed. Quite right. It would be hard to imagine anyone foolish enough to follow in your footsteps, say, at 44 Black Lead for example, where you put down a shaft at least 600ft. off the lead, proving your ability to find water. Further, it is a fact that, in Rouse's Three Mile paddock, a machine of dirt proved payable after the pumps had been drawn, and the shaft had been dismantled. It would be a pity for the district if anyone did follow in your tracks, and pursued the same peculiar methods of management as you did at the Salvation Hill mine, and other shows.
    There is one thing certain, Mr. Fletcher, you took particular care that no one should examine your workings after you left, for you carefully destroyed all chance by dismantling the shafts. You tried this game on at the Salvation Hill mine, but, thanks to a wise provision in the Mining Act, which prohibits the removal of ladders, skids, timbering, etc., from a mining shaft, and the fact that a Nemesis, in the person of myself, was on your track noting your every move at the mine, you were very properly forced
    by the Mines Department, to replace all ladders, skids, etc., in the shaft.
    Mr. Fletcher states in his letter, that present operations at this notorious spot gives him much satisfaction. If this is one of Mr. Fletcher's truthful statements, then why was he so eager to destroy the shaft? The attempted destruction of the shaft, Mr. Fletcher, certainly does not go to show that you were anxious to see any further mining operations carried on at the mine. Mr. Fletcher challenges proof of 50
    ounces of gold ever being got at the mine. Well, at the risk of being dubbed by Mr. Fletcher a born liar, I can possibly assert that I know of 55 ounces of gold being got by the late James Heddle and Thos. Parker, and that I was on the mine several times while the ore was being dollied, and saw the gold bearing ore being taken out— about two tons — from which the gold was obtained. If Mr. Fletcher wants any further proof well let him enquire at the bank, and else where in town, where the gold was sold. Mr. Fletcher's remarks, re born liars, I treat with the contempt it deserves. His London letters to me re Salvation Hill business certainly do not tend to confirm his statement that he is a paragon of truthfulness. Re that 72oz. assays, that was a genuine assay, Mr. Fletcher, but it would be interesting to know whether it was the assay, or the £75 paid you by the syndicate prior to your trip to London that most concerned you.
    Mr. Fletcher states that he wrote the managing director to come up at once, as they were simply burning
    money. I quite agree with you, Mr. Fletcher. You did nothing else from the start of your operations at the
    Salvation Hill mine but burn money. The salary (£8 odd per week) that you were in receipt of for supervising the work of one shift of men at the start of the work at the mine amply proves this.
    Mr. Fletcher's query as to why the present syndicate do not take out that 72oz. ore is simply ridiculous. Any party of men who would give away two-thirds of a mine where there was any bulk of ore that would go 72oz. to the ton, simply to provide capital for developing the mine, should be within the walls of a lunatic asylum, where such silly questioners also should be. — I am, etc.,

    1905 - Frame Fletcher in Defence.
    TO THE EDITOR.
    Sir, — Kindly allow me to show the public how matters stand between Heard and his party and myself. In his letter to you, dated 14th September, 1905, he dubs himself "Nemesis" (caps himself), so let him wear it.
    Re 44 and his statement I sunk 600 feet away — from where? Deeply feel ing the responsibility, I sought for aid and advice. Gave the late W. Thompson £10 for plan of old workings, got from Sydney last report from Hawkins to his board, and went over the ground with several reputable miners, Pat Sweeney, T. King, of Home Rule, amongst others who worked there to the close — this before breaking surface. "Nemesis" Heard's opinion was not sought; why should it be? Let the cobbler stick to his last. All opinions varied; I bottomed on the load, and sunk through 14ft of worthless drifts. Treated separately, it yielded 2dwts. gold for the lot— about 20 loads. I drove 600ft. across this lead, and treated hundreds of loads for practically no gold before going up. Years after, indeed, by the persistent yarns — lies(?) — of men of the Hilton-Heard class, others actually got up a diamond drill, and tried for 12 months to find values. Their results, like mine, were worthless, and yet these men avowed I had passed through and left behind payable gold, did not know gold when I saw it. etc., etc. (although in 1899 I was working underground in Ballarat, and later on in Bendigo). At and below 44 the lead is exhausted. Finis 44.
    Re that wrecking: None know better than "Nemesis" Heard that this charge is false. Under instructions from Director Gibbons, I did remove ladders and skids only, but finding that, during our stay in London (12 months), new rules were passed (we should have applied for permission), I replaced same; two shifts took them out and four shifts replaced them. So much for Heard's blather about shaft wrecking. "Nemesis" says he saw Parker and Hoddles getting 55oz. gold out of their pot-hole simply, and I can inquire and find out where they sold it. "Rats!" I could find the North Pole quicker. Parker (I knew him well), a "hard case" as we all knew, sold out his share, a 12th then, for £2 soon as he got the chance; he started this boodle, but quickly left the baby to others. If "Nemisis" Heard thought me the failure he now tries to charge me with being let him explain why, when G. Wait's comet in 1901 blazed across our horizon (years after I left Gulgong) he sent me a newspaper containing a report of the wonderful assayed 72oz., which he now again assures me was genuine. I don't doubt that, "Nemisis," but I much more than doubt the source of its origin, also a letter begging me to come to Gulgong and see the principals finishing up with "We are the lease holders, and can do as we like." I came and found funds exhausted, water up in shaft and no chance of inspecting where this 72oz. ore was reported to have been taken from a vein still continuing down there, but consistent were the words used. Fully trusting these lease holders, Messrs. Clarke, Waite and "Nemesis" Heard, I agreed to go home, but stipulated for my ship expenses in advance. No funds being available, it was agreed to increase the shares then 18, to 20, to find me £75. I waited nearly a month, eventually on strength of my promise to go, a buyer, through my efforts, was found, and £70 handed me, the syndicate not spending 1s. I stood up in London for 12 months to a week, and in the teeth of the Boer war, succeeded in arranging Working Capital of £5000, with a reserve of a farther £1000. Only two New South Wales gold companies wore floated that year in London, and this was one of the two. Had there been any justification, this £6000 would have been expended. The most careful search for values failed to find any. The best assay I got was under 4dwts per ton, and very little of that, last assay from deepest part returned gold, silver, copper — nil. On receipt of my cable from London, "I have succeeded," 15 adjoining acres to syndicate's area were taken up by Hilton and party. First night I reached Gulgong I had to listen till 12 p.m., whilst one leaseholder held forth and expounded on the benefits that must accrue to the syndicate if I bought up this 15 acres; if I was very prompt I might get it for £200 to £300; but if work there started, and they meant starting quickly, the price would be double. Of course, my informant had no interest in this 15 acres, but as a shareholder in original syndicate, he advised me to act at once. This 15 acres is now known as the Golden or Missing Sink. My refusal to create a billet for Heard's son (I really had no use for him), and my prompt exposure of there being no values in the S. Hill mine (it was before my time, indeed, well tried for all time) I found "Nemesis" on the warpath for my scalp. To get me removed from the Hill he went the length of writing Gibbons that "The company could not prosper with me in charge. I did not understand it, and all Gulgong knew I was a better judge of whisky than quartz." Shame on you, "Nemesis" Heard is a man of the world, and Gibbons knows I'm a fair judge of both, and got home later on. "Nemesis," when he told him in the street openly, "That if he stood on a stack of bibles as big as that (pointing to the Bank of New South Wales) and swore the 72ozs. of ore came out of the syndicate's shaft he would not believe him."
    "Nemesis" makes the open boast he means doing me all the harm he can, and will hunt me from the district — as the French say. We shall see. Others prepare the mud-balls, which "Nemesis," a willing tool, throws in hopes some stick, so I'll tell him. "Nemesis" stands not only for vengeance, but retribution, and retribution is up alongside Heard and party now to-day. Re my letters to him. I challenged him before and again, and do now, to publish them, but mind they are genuine. Parker often tried to get me to back him in Surface Hill, and used to show me and others very rich sulphides he got there. These are the same as the reported 72oz ore — showed no visible free gold. Now Parker left this specimen ore behind him, I'm certain. Where is it now? Could his spook (fancy Tommy's spook) have protected this ore (it was about 72ozs. stuff) anywhere for others to discover? Thanking you in anticipation. — Yours, etc, FRAME FLETCHER.

    1905 - Salvation Hill Dispute.
    [to the editor.] Sir, — I notice in your issue of the 14th inst. a letter to Mr. Frame Fletcher, signed by Robert W. Heard, of Gulgong, who does not seem to like the condemnation of Salvation by Mr. Fletcher, and writes to disparage in the public's eyes Mr. Fletcher as an authority on mining. Of course, one knows what is ahead of them in mining for gold, but at the same time I for one would not care to follow Mr. Fletcher after he has abandoned a mine, expecting to find payable gold.
    As for the statement that Mr. Fletcher takes good care that no one will follow him by dismantling the works, etc., is not true as far as this district is concerned, for the several mines that he has tried are open to this day to be prospected. In the statement of the enormous amount of 55oz. dollied out of a few pounds weight of stone taken out of Salvation Hill proves it to have been a patch.
    The gift of £75 for expenses to Mr. Fletcher to take the property home, and now published, I consider cowardly in the extreme. If Mr. Heard expects to got capable managers and gentlemen with great influence with the Home mining people, as Mr. Fletcher has proved in the past, and will again, of raising capital to develop the districts mine for less than £8 is ridiculous.
    Gulgong has been very fortunate in the past to have a man of Mr. Fletcher's ability in their midst. He has caused many thousands to have been spent on the field. Mr. Fletcher has been unfortunate in not finding payable gold, but if the gold is not there he can't put it there. — Yours, etc., FAIR PLAY. Hargraves, Sept. 22nd, 1905.

    1906 - [RED HILL]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher is re-sarting operations on his gold lease, south of the Red Hill. He intends bailing the 50-foot shaft, and then take assays from the surface down the depth mentioned, should further prospecting prove of a favourable character. Mr. Fletcher states he has a Sydney syndicate ready to go in for further development.
    Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 10 May 1906 Page 10

    1906 - Struck Gold.
    I am pleased to state that Mr. Frame Fletcher has struck a very rich find at his reef in Gulgong, and it is supposed that in the course of a very short period a great number of men will be employed at the mine which will prove beneficial to the town of Gulgong. Mr. Fletcher is to be complimented on his success as he richly deserves it.

    1906 - A Mining Item.
    The Red Hill Gold Mining Company, at Gulgong, have sunk their mine 200 feet. This property was floated by Mr. Frame Fletcher, in Sydney, who with six men commenced work in May last. They are now raising highly payable mineralised sulphide ore, averaging three feet in thickness and steadily increasing at depth. The channel from which this ore is being taken is five feet wide and has perfect walls.
    Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 8 Nov 1906 Page 11

    1906 - Warden's Court.
    At the Warden's Court held at the Court House, Gulgong, Mr. O. A. Edwards, Warden presiding, Mr. W. R. Heard, secretary of the Salvation Hill G.M.S., applied for four months' suspension of the labor conditions on Mining on Private Lands Gold Lease No 970, and Gold Lease No 858. Mr. Heard stated in evidence in support of his application, that the syndicate had carried on work continuously at the mine since June 8, 1905, and had expended in that period about £240, and that since the syndicate first started mining operations at Salvation Hill mine, about £1800 or £1900 had been expended. The object now in asking suspension was to enable the syndicate to procuro fresh capital for the more effective development of the mine, and as secretary, he was now in communication with a firm of English capitalists, and was hopeful of success.
    Mr. Frame Fletcher opposed the application, his objection being that he had been prevented from removing machinery from the ground. Mr. Fletcher was very offensive in his remarks, referring to the syndicate as a push, and born liars. Mr. Heard strongly protested against such uncalled-for and unmerited remarks. The Warden reprimanded Mr. Fletcher who then apologised. Suspension of the labor conditions was granted for a period of three months. Messrs. M. M. Bowman and C. E. Hilton made no objection to suspension being granted.

    1906 - [COPPER]
    Mr. Frame Fletcher has taken up a prospecting area of 80 acres south of the old Gulgong reef on behalf of a Sydney syndicate, to prospect for a copper lode, which is known to exist in the vicinity.

    1908 - Returning to Australia.
    We hear, on good authority, that Mr. Frame Fletcher's faith in the mining possibilities of Gulgong has not been shaken. This gentleman is returning to Australia by the ' Suevic' to once more exploit the Red Hill. Mr. Fletcher spent much money on the old Gulgong fields in the psst and sometimes got good results. This time he is reported to be bringing with him a lot of English money.

    1908 - Mudgee Warden's Court. A GOLD MINING LEASE.
    A complaint having been lodged by Mr. William John Taylor, of Kent street, Sydney, against the gold mining lease held by Messrs. Frame Fletcher and R. G. Gibbons, on the ground that the labor conditions
    were not being fulfilled, the Warden, Mr. O. A. Edwards, was directed by the Minister to hold an inquiry, in terms of section 127 of the mining Act, which he did on Friday last.
    Mr. C. D. Meares, who appeared on behalf of Mr. Gibbons, who resides in Sydney, produced a declaration from Mr. Taylor to the effect that he did not desire to proceed further with the matter. There was no appearance on behalf of either Messrs. Fletcher or Taylor, and the Warden therefore directed that the papers should be forwarded to the Minister for his decision.

    1908 - A SHOCKING TRAGEDY. - SHATTERED BY DYNAMITE.
    GULGONG, Tuesday. This morning, at Spear's Royal Hotel, Thomas Frame Fletcher, a well-known mining speculator, exploded a plug of dynamite in his mouth, blowing the top part of the head off through a window. Portions of the skull and brains were found in the yard. 
    Deceased had expended £30,000 hore in mining speculations, and lately returned from England despondent. His wife and family reside in London.

    1908 - The Gulgong Tragedy. Death of Thomas Frame Fletcher.
    The news of the shockingly tragic death of the well-known mining speculator, Mr. Thomas Frame Fletcher, which took place at Gulgong at about breakfast time on Tuesday morning, was received in Mudgee — and in fact everywhere where the deceased was known — with feelings of the deepest regret. It is hardly necessary to add that his unfortunate and untimely end has caused quite a gloom over those with whom he was closely associated in the little town in which it occurred. The late Mr. Fletcher was well-known to most mining speculators in this State and to not a few throughout the Australian Commonwealth. He came to these parts many years ago and invested a considerable sum of money in the mining ventures in the Gulgong district and also down the Macquarie. After varied experiences he went back to the Old Country and subsequently returned with more capital, which he again invested in mining pursuits at Gulgong, but, unfortunately, his expectations were not realised. Recently, he considered he had made a very important discovery at Red Hill, and he hastened back to England to find capital with which to prove his discovery, but owing to the depression on the London market at the time, he was unable to secure the necessary capital, as investors had decided to put no further moneys into properties out here — for the time, at any rate. His last mission proving, therefore, fruitless, he lost very little time in coming back to Australia again. On reaching Sydney he endeavored to enter into further negotiations with monied people there with the view of developing his new find, but failed to succeed. The result was that he returned to Gulgong, the scene of his former triumphs and recent failures — in a spirit of despondency which has, no doubt, brought about the lamentable finale it now becomes our sad duty to record. The deceased was the cause of between thirty and forty thousand pounds being spent in the Gulgong district. He always proved himself a good employer — paid the best wages, and often stinted himself to admit of his workmen getting their wages. The circumstances surrounding his sad death show that on Tuesday morning he entered his bedroom at Spears' Royal Hotel, where he was staying at Gulgong, and explodod a plug of dynamite in his mouth, blowing the top part of his head off, and through the window. Portion of his skull and brains were found in the yard.The deceased leaves a wife and family in England, but it is believed they are comfortably provided for. Mr. C. E. Hilton, one of the late Mr. Fletcher's oldest friends went round Gulgong immediately after his death became known, and succeeded in collecting a large sum of money for the purpose of giving him a fitting burial. The remains were laid to rest yesterday in the Church of England portion of the Gulgong cemetery in the presence of a large number of sympathising friends. The Ven. Archdeacon Geer conducted the service at the grave.
    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 24 Sep 1908 Page 18

    1908 - THE INQUEST.
    The Coroner, Mr. O. A. Edwards, P.M., proceeded to Gulgong on Tuesday and held an inquest on the body of the deceased. The following is the evidence and the finding:—

    Thomas Kennedy deposed: I am a police constable stationed at Gulgong. About a little after eight this morning, I went to the Royal Hotel, Gulgong, and there saw a bedroom, the glass window of which was blown into the yard, and smoke coming from the window. I stood on a chair and looked in through the window and saw the body of deceased, Frame Fletcher, lying on his back across the bed, with both feet on the floor, the head being completely blown away. I said to the licensee, Mr. Spears, "Let us burst the door open," which was bolted at the time from the inside.
    Spears then jumped through the window and unlocked the door, and I entered, and saw brain matter and blood strewn over the floor, walls and ceiling. I then locked the door, and went in search of the Sergeant. He and I then entered the room, and the Sergeant searched the body, and found a pair of spectacles, a stud, and other minor articles. The bed apparently had not been slept on, as the pillow seemed to be undisturbed and the bed-clothing as if the bed had been recently made. I saw deceased last about 8.30 p.m. yesterday evening at Mr. Spears' hotel. I was at the time speaking to Mr. Spears. When deceased came in he said something about "Bad boy" or "Bad boys," neither of us made any answer. He
    then said, "Would you gentlemen let me pass into the parlor," which we did, and that is the last I saw of him alive. He seemed perfectly sober and in good health. He is a man that had been given to drink
    ...
    his clothing there was nothing of any value found in the room, excepting a black metal watch. When I saw the body of deceased this morning, it was fully dressed with an overcoat on, the same as I had seen on the previous evening. When I entered the room there was a smell something like dynamite, and it could be smelt right through the house. The head was blown off from the mouth, part of one nostril was left, and the mouth did not appear as if it had been interfered with at all. In my opinion, whatever explosive was used, it must have been placed at the back of the head. There was a slight burnt black mark on the wall as if the head had been blown against the wall when the explosive went off. The deceased was a mine manager, and has been off and on at Gulgong, to my knowledge, for the past five years. As a mine manager he would have a large experience of explosives. I heard this morning that deceased was 61 or 62 years of age. He was a married man, and, as far as I know, had two children. His wife and children were now residing in England. He has no relatives in Gulgong, but I heard this morning that he has a sister in Sydney. I don't know her name.

    John Thomas Spears deposed: I am an hotelkeeper and reside at Gulgong. I knew the deceased, Frame Fletcher. He had been staying at my house for about ten weeks. About eight this morning I heard an explosion. One of the domestics said it was in Fletcher's room. I rushed to the door and found it locked. I then went round to the window and found that it had been blown out by the explosion. I then got a chair and looked in. I saw the dead body of deceased lying across the bed. I then sent for the police. Constable Kennedy came, and I got through the window and unlocked the door. The room was in a bad state with blood and smoke, by the smell of which I should say it was dynamite of gelignite. He had been working on the mine he had at the Red Hill, Gulgong, called the Red Hill Extended. I found the fuse produced about a yard from the broken window, in the hotel yard, lying among the broken glass. The fuse is used in connection with a cap that explodes the explosive. In my opinion the explosive used
    must have been put at the back of the head. A detonator would be put on that and the fuse lighted. Deceased had never said anything to me that would lead me to suppose that he intended committing suicide. He went into his room last night about 10 p.m. He seemed perfectly sober. I had no conversation with him beyond bidding him good-night. The bed did not appear as if deceased slept in it last night. It is about 12 months since he did any work in the mine. He has not been doing anything since he has been staying at my place. Deceased has not had any worry since he has been staying at Gulgong. For the last couple of weeks he has appeared to me depressed in spirits.

    Thomas Saunders deposed: I am a billiard marker and reside at Gulgong. I have known the deceased, Frame Fletcher, since he first arrived in Gulgong about 25 years ago. He had recently returned from England, about three months ago. He had gone to England in connection with his mine on the Red Hill to try and raise capital to develop it. He did not get any money in England. He has a wife and three children in London. About a fortnight ago he told me he had received a letter from them. He came up to the billiard room where I was last Wednesday. I said "Have you any news ?" I spoke in reference to his getting money to develop the Red Hill mine. He said, "I receievd a letter to-day; but bad news. Gibbons got hold of those friends of mine." He said, "They are fighting against me, also the Mines Department is fighting against me." He said, "There's nothing for me now only to blow out my light." He seemed very excited. I told him not to be foolish and to think the matter over, as there was plenty of time to fight the battle. He said, "No, I am full up of it. I expected to die over the Red Hill," and "I'm going to die over the Red Hill," or "The Red Hill would be the death of me." It was something like this he said. He went away then. Next day he came again to the room. He said, "I have been up to bid good-bye to the Red Hill." I said "What's up with you, are you going off your head ?" He said, "I have made up my mind. I have it here," touching his coat pocket. I said, "What have you got there ?" He said "That's my business." I tried to reason with him and he said, "The next time you see me, you will see me dead.'' He was under the influence of drink at the
    ...
    fused, but he said he would not leave the room. I then went over to Lincoln's and had a drink with him, and he said, "This is the last drink we'll have." He returned again that afternoon, and was intoxicated, and I got him part of the way home. He had explosives at the Red Hill. When he came to see me on Thursday, from the Red Hill, I half guessed he had some explosive in his pocket.

    Charles Edward Hilton deposed: I am an auctioneer residing at Gulgong. The deceased called at my office yesterday at half-past four; was sober and had his senses with him. He was in very serious trouble, over the leases he held in the Red Hill, called the Red Hill Extended. He showed me some private letters and one from the Mines Department, which informed him he would have to carry out labor conditions at the end of the present month. He also informed me that his best friend in Sydney was Mr. Le Quesne, the chief representative of Hill, Clarke and Co., had written to the effect that he did not care to have anything to do with the undertaking I told him to go home and take matters quietly until to-day, when I would meet him at my office and use my best endeavors to help him out of the difficulty. During the past five weeks he has been suffering under severe depression in connection with the leases he held, and he told me they were the only hope he had in the world, and if he lost those he lost all, and life would not be worth living. He has a sister living in Mosman, married to an estate agent. I don't know his name. The deceased did not get any explosives from my mine. I know that deceased has explosives stored in a tin house on his own leases. 

    The Coroner then found that the said Frame Fletcher died from the effects of injuries caused by his own act in exploding some explosive substance and completely shattering the upper part of the skull.
    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 24 Sep 1908 Page 18


    1908 - MINING MANAGER'S SUICIDE.
    GULGONG, Wednesday. — A shocking tragedy occurred yesterday, when Thomas Frame Fletcher, a well-known mining man, committed suicide. He placed a dynamite cap on his head, under his cap, and ignited the fuse, the result being that his head was blown to atoms. The event occurred at the Royal Hotel in one of the bedrooms. Fletcher had managed various big mines on the Gulgong gold field, and had spent upwards of £40,000 on behalf of English and other' syndicates. He was in financial difficulties; and had been drinking heavily. At the inquest a verdict of suicide was returned.

    1908 - Encouragement of Enterprise.
    The death of Mr. Frame Fletcher, by his own act last week, removed from the mining circles of this district one who has done more to develop the mining interests than perhaps any other man in the State, and the callous treatment which was meted out to him by the Mines Department in his hour of adversity must for ever remain as a foul blot on the administration cf that Department.
    Mr. Fletcher came to Gulgong over, twenty years ago, and having almost unlimited capital at his command he proceeded to explore, the field for fresh discoveries. Many propositions of a promising character were brought under his notice, and he discarded none where there was a reasonable prospect of success. Many misrepresentations were made to him by unprincipled persons in respect to alleged past discoveries in claims that were deemed to be unworkable for want of capital, and being of a trustful
    nature and expecting every man he met to be as truthful and reliable as himself; he was led to imbark incostly ventures in which he lost his money. But he never lost confidence of the future prospects of thefield. Although his money was gone he still persevered. Some two years ago he took up what is known as the Red Hill Extended Mine, and being determined that he would thoroughly test it himself before asking his friends in England to invest their capital in it he threw off his coat and went to work with the result that after sinking about a hundred and fifty feet the prospects were so encouraging that he felt justified in taking a trip to England and bringing it under the notice of his friends, and thus afford them an opportunity of recouping themselves for the losses which they had previously sustained in connection with the ventures in which he had induced them to embark. Unfortunately he happened to reach England at the time that the slump in metal paralysed the mining market, and he was unable to obtain the necessary capital. Undeterred by his failure in England he returned to Sydney and opened up negotiations with his friends there to assist him in procuring the required capital to develop the mine, but he had to reckon with that intelligent body of officials that constitute the Mines Department. It is said that 'misfortune never grants time,' be that as it may, the Department refused to grant poor Fletcher time, egged on, doubtless, by some dispicable skunk who never blunted a pick or expended a penny in a
    mining venture during the course of his workless life, but who desired to profit by Fletcher's industry, they called upon him to fulfil the labor conditions attached to his lease under the penalty of forfeiture.
    Mr. Fletcher's character was known to every inspecting officer of the Department. They knew that he had expended a fortune in trying to develop the Gulgong field. They knew that he had tested the leases that he held to a depth below which it was impossible to work without machinery, and that he had obtained payable gold, and they also knew that he had been granted exemption in order to enable him to proceed to England for the purpose of getting the necessary capital to exploit his property, but all his efforts and expenditures in the direction of sinking capital was not taken into consideration by those enlightened individuals who are supposed to act as ministerial advisers when it comes to a question of fulfilling the conditions imposed on the holder of a mining lease.
    Had poor Fletcher armed himself with a tack hammer and napped stones on his property instead of throwing his energy into it as he did his presence on the ground would have been regarded as ample fulfilment of the labor conditions, and he would not have been driven to put an end to his life by ministerial threats of forfeiture, instigated by some miserable hound too lazy to work himself, and too unprincipled to resist from the temptation of trying to rob another of the fruits of his industry. Poor Fletcher's experience has been a sad one both for himself and his unfortunate family, and if it affords an example of the treatment that pluck, perseverance, and enterprise has to expect at the hands of the Mines Department, then it is high time that some of our representatives took the matter in hand with  a view to its reorganization. 

    1908 - IN PROBATE.
    The following probates and letters of administration were granted during the past week:
    Intestate Estates.—The Curator of Intestate Estates has been authorised to administer the estates of the undermentioned deceased persons:-
    • Thomas Frame Fletcher (of Gulgong)

    1909 - [RED HILL]
    Mr. H. R. Baldwin, acting for a Sydney syndicate, last week commenced baling by a whip at the late Frame Fletcher's claim, Red Hill, Gulgong. The shafb is 215 feet deep, with numerous drives, but there was 160 feet of water therein.

    1910 - [RED HILL]
    Blasting operations have been resumed at the Red Hill Mine. A large quantity of stone is ready for crushing operations. The Red Hill Extended, until recently owned by Mr. Frame Fletcher, has been floated into a company, and operations are to be commenced on a large scale shortly.
    Source:  Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Thu 22 Sep 1910 Page 4
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