WRECK OF A BRIG AND PROBABLE LOSS OF LIFE.

WRECK OF A BRIG AND PROBABLE LOSS OF LIFE.

[By Telegraph.] Auckland, Friday. Information was received in Auckland today that an Auckland brig, the James A. Stewart, had gone ashore at Kaipara Heads. She was bound outwards with a cargo of timber loaded at Aratapu for Adelaide, but no particulars as to the cause of the accident had reached town up to a late hour this afternoon. A telegram received by Messrs McKerizic and Ross from Capt. Colin McDonald, of the Magellan Cloud, stated that the -James A. Stewart had been stranded on the North Spit last night, and abandoned by the crew. There were no signs of the men on the vessel The message also stated that the brig did not appear much damaged.

A later telegram from the harbormaster at Kaipara states that there are no signs of the crew. The James A. Stewart is a brigantine of 170 tons register, owned by Messrs McKenzie and Ross, of Auckland. She was "built at Nova Scotia four years ago, and arrived here from New York two years ago last April. She is insured in the New Zealand Company for £1500.

The, vessel left Auckland some time ago for Kaipara, where, she was to be loaded with, timber for Adelaide. She was under the command of Capt. J. McLell an for some considerable time. The pilot crew went to her this morning and found her high and dry on the beach, abandoned. None of the crew were seen. The vessel did not appear to be much injured. She lies about three miles outside the North Head at Kaipara. The owners have subsequently received the following telegram: "Messrs McKenzie and Ross.:- The James A, Stewart got ashore outside the North Spit yesterday. Her masts are gone. The hull came on the beach last night. No tidings of the crew at 8 a.m. this morning. Will send particulars from Heads. - J. Christie South, harbormaster.

Later.

News from Helensville states that the steamer Minnie Casey has arrived there, bringing news that the James A. Stewart left Kaipara Heads last night with a fair wind. It is supposed' that it fell last night, and the vessel drifted ashore. Part of her sails were set. A party left the Heads for the vessel, but found no trace of the crew. The party boarded the vessel, which was high and dry, and found the compass and chronometer intact, one: boat smashed on deck, and one boat ashore uninjured. The deck was undisturbed.