<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>hic1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PUTNAM HIGH INCOME CONVERTIBLE & BOND FUND
<TEXT>

               SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

         PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
          OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   (Amendment No. )
                                                                    ----
                Filed by the Registrant                            / X /
                                                                    ----
                                                                    ----
       Filed by a party other than the Registrant                  /   /
                                                                    ----
Check the appropriate box:
----
/   / Preliminary Proxy Statement
----
----
/   /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as
----   permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
----
/   / Definitive Proxy Statement
----
----
/ x / Definitive Additional Materials
----
----
/   / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or
----  Sec. 240.14a-12

         PUTNAM HIGH INCOME CONVERTIBLE & BOND FUND
      (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

         (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
                if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

----
/ X / No fee required
----
----
/   / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a
----  6(i)(1) and 0-11

      (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

      (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

      (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
      pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
      filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

      (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

      (5) Total fee paid:
----
/   / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
----
----
/   / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided
----  by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
      the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by
      registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
      its filing.

      (1) Amount Previously Paid:

      (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

      (3) Filing Party:

      (4) Date Filed:




                  PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
           High Income Convertible & Bond Fund
                   TELEPHONE SCRIPT

Introduction

Hello, my name is __________.  I'm calling from D.F. King & Co., Inc.,
on behalf of your investment in the High Income Convertible & Bond Fund.
May I please speak with __________?  (If shares are registered jointly,
ask to speak with one of the shareholders; If shares are registered in
the form of an entity, ask to speak with someone authorized to vote the
shares).

Putnam Funds mailed you proxy material concerning the upcoming meeting
of shareholders, which is scheduled for August 15, 2002.  I am calling
to find out if you have received these materials.  Do you have a moment?

Have you received the proxy materials in the mail?

If not, then help the shareholder obtain the material he requires.  If a
NOBO, give them our 800#; ask them to wait for material and call back to
vote.  If registered, we will send the materials directly.  In either
case, make sure the address is correct, make any necessary corrections,
and code the disposition as "14" or "15".

Are you familiar with the proposal?  Do you have any questions?

Take time to answer all questions carefully.  Do not give advice.
Remind the shareholder that his/her Board Members has recommended that
he/she vote in favor of the proposal.  Most  questions can be addressed
by referring to the proxy statement and reading the appropriate
sections.

At your earliest convenience, please vote by signing and dating the
proxy card you received, and returning it in the envelope provided.  If
you like, I can record your vote over the telephone right now. Okay?

Allow the person to give you a response. If the person says he/she has
already sent in the proxy,do not ask how he/she voted.

Here is how we will proceed.  I will record this phone call.  I will ask
you for your name, your address and the last 4 digits of your social
security number (or Tax Identification Number if shares are registered to
an entity). Finally, I will ask how many shares you own (answer optional)
and confirm that you have received the proxy materials.  Then I will take
your votes.  Within 72 hours, you will be mailed a letter confirming your
votes, which will tell you how to make any changes you wish.  Are you
ready?

Begin the Vote

At this time, I'll begin recording the call.  First, I'll reintroduce
myself.  My name is __________, calling from D.F. King & Co on behalf of
Putnam Funds. Today's date is __________ and the time is __________.

May I  please have your full name?  If shareholder is an entity, may I
please have your title?  Can you confirm that you are authorized to
direct the voting of the High Income Convertible & Bond Fund shares?

May I please have your address?

May I have the last 4 digits of your social security number? (If
shareholder is an entity, ask for Tax Identification Number)

Input the last 4 digits of the SSN.  You may not proceed without this
information.  If the shareholder refuses to give this information,
explain that it is for security purposes only, to assure that only the
proper person can vote his shares.  However, if the shareholder
continues to resist, you have no choice but to politely end the call.

Have you received the proxy materials?

Actual Voting

Your Board Members are asking you to consider a proposal which they have
studied carefully.  They recommend that you vote in favor of the
proposal.  Would you like to vote in favor of the proposal as
recommended by your Board?

If you are required to read the proposal individually, end each proposal
by saying, "Your Board recommends that you vote in favor.  How would you
like to vote?"  For most proposals, the valid responses are

F = For proposal.
A = Against proposal.
B = Abstain.

For Director voting, the only valid responses are:

F = For at least one or more of the nominees.
W = Withhold authority for all nominees.

Closing

I have recorded your votes.  You have voted __________.  Is that
correct?  As your voting agent I will execute a written proxy in
accordance with your instructions and forward it onto the fund.

In the next 72 hours, we will mail you a letter by first class mail
confirming your vote.  If you wish to change your vote for any reason,
please call us at the phone number listed in the letter.  Thank you for
your time.


                  PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
           High Income Convertible & Bond Fund

               Answering Machine Message

Hello, this is _______ calling on behalf of Putnam Funds. You should
have received material in the mail concerning the Special Shareholders
Meeting to be held on August 15, 2002.

At your earliest convenience, please sign, date, and return the proxy
card in the envelope provided.  If you have any questions, need proxy
material or would like to vote by telephone, please call 1-800-735-3428.

Thank you for your consideration.

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