James Fletcher came from a family of builders in Kirkintilloch in Scotland. He brought his skills with him when he set out for Dunedin, arriving in Port Chalmers in October 1908. He had sent a draft for twelve pounds to a Dunedin Bank and set out with three pounds in his pocket. He found work quickly with a Dunedin firm and learnt the administration side of the business. He met an Englishman, Albert (Bert) Morris, a skilled carpenter, and together they formed a partnership, Fletcher and Morris. A cottage at Broad Bay was required by the local storekeeper, Hubert Green. They lodged a tender for 375 pounds, it was accepted, but they took so much care over getting it just right, that they made a profit of just 3/6. But Hubert Green spread the word, and soon there were other cottages to be built at Broad Bay, including one for the Cameron family. And this is where he met his future wife, Charlotte Cameron. They got married in December 1911 and had 3 children, John born in 1913, Jim and Ella.