Captain James Stewart Adams, of the Union Company's “Polerua,” was born in 1846 at Woodside, a suburb of North Aberdeen, where he was educated. He was apprenticed to the tea clipper ship “Star of China,” belonging to Mr. Henry Adams, ship-owner, and trading between London and China. On the completion of his articles he joined as second mate an Aberdeen ship in which he made a voyage to Peru. On his return trip he was appointed second mate to the ship “Lufra,” trading to China and commanded by Captain Hodge, under whom he had served his apprenticeship. He obtained his, chief mate's certificate in 1872 at London and his master's certificate two years later. Captain Adams sailed as chief officer on the ships “Allanshaw,” “Brodrick Castle,” and “Lady Ruthven.” In 1883 he made a trip to New Zealand in the “Norman McLeod,” then owned by Mr. C. W. Turner, of Christchurch, but left her on her return Home. In 1884, in consequence of the illness of his family then residing in London, Captain Adams determined to makes his future home in New Zealand, to which he was attracted by the climate and other advantages. He came to Dunedin with his wife and family in 1895, by the “Tainui,” on her first voyage to New Zealand. Shortly afterwards he removed to Oamaru, and for two years had charge of the schooner “Awaroa,” then belonging to Mr. Cross, of Nelson. On the death, by accident, at Napier, of Captain Rutter, of the Union Company's “Waihi,” Captain Adams, who was then trading to that port, was requested by the Union Company to bring the “Waihi” to Wellington. The “Waihi” was then placed in the Blenheim trade, with Captain Adams as her chief officer, and six months afterwards he took command as master. He was subsequently in charge of the “Kanieri” and the “Orawaiti, and left the latter vessel to assume command of the “Southern Cross,” Which was trading between Wellington and Auck land, via the East Coast ports, and took charge of the “Dingadee,” in 1894. He is now (May, 1901) in command of the Union Company's steamer “Poherua.” Captain Adams was married in London in 1874, and has a family of two sons and two daughters, and resides in Wellington. He is a Freemason and a member of the English Lodge at Wellington.