THOMAS BATHER MOORE (T.B.Moore)

[Mike]

Charles Whitham in his book "Western Tasmania, A Land of Riches and Beauty" published by the Mount Lyell Tourist Association in 1924, dedicates his book to Thomas Bather Moore F.R.G.S. Explorer.
Moore was probably the last true explorer in Tasmania.

The dedication page from "Western Tasmania, A land of Riches and Beauty".

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Can someone confirm that it is T.B.Moore sitting, second left?

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This postcard was written by Cliff to his father T.B.Moore while Moore was doing exploration work in the Mt Balfour area for the Mt Lyell Company. Card posted Hobart 16/3/09. No stamp hence taxed 2d.

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[Mike]

A friend of mind contacted Chris Binks re TB Moore. Chris Binks is the author of Explorers of Western Tasmania and Pioneers of Tasmania's West Coast.

He states the following,

"Yes, this does look like TBM in later life: same build, same prominent mustache."

I thought my card included TB Moore as I found a photo of him in Ralph Gowlland's book "Trampled Wilderness, The History of South West Tasmania" on page 86 (see scan)

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A postcard from TB Moore to his daughter Molly. "I am sending you and Greta the hut and bend (this refers to the 2 postcard views scaned) so you can picture Dad in the bush" etc.

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Moore's Bend Gordon River and Moore's Pimple (near Mount Read) were named after Moore.

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[lyn]

The man, second left in the group photograph, is my great grandfather, James Harrison, who was Inspector of Mines on the west coast. I understand that Thomas Bather Moore is the man sitting fourth from the left.
The man in the single portrait is unknown to me.

[Mike]

I can now confirm that the postcard view of a group of gentleman (see first post) does indeed include T.B.Moore. This same photograph appears in the book, 'Beyond the Ramparts' by Kerry Pink and Annette Ebdon, on page 250. The book was published by the Circular Head Bicentennial History Group in June 1988. The book includes a very interesting chapter on the mining town of Balfour. The Murray brothers operated the Murrays Reward mine. Like many mines, the ore body soon petered out and the mine had to close. That was the beginning of the end for the town of Balfour. Read the book to find out what happened to the Murray Brothers. A sad story!

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[lyn]

The caption in Pink & Ebdon's book is at odds with that on the photo held in the State Library collection at
http://eheritage.statelibrary.tas.gov.a ... =CHH_00332
where T.B.Moore is seated on the far right. The moustachioed man on the left is James (incorrectly given as I.) Harrison.

[Mike]

Hello Lyn
That's interesting. I wonder who is correct? The State Library who obtained their information from the Circular Head Heritage Centre Smithton, or Pink and Ebdon who obtained a copy of their photo from the Discovery Centre Stanley?

It would appear that the jury is out at the moment.

[Mike]

Just found this photograph of T.B.Moore (standing 1st left) in the special issue of the "Mount Lyell, A Century of Copper", published by The Advocate 21/3/1993.

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[Mike]

A new book on the life of T.B.Moore was published and released a few weeks ago titled "The Track Cutter" The author is well known Tasmanian, Patsy Crawford.
If you have an interest in Moore and/or Tasmanian West Coast history you should read this book.

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