Wellington, Tuesday. Sir Walter Bailer takes with him in the Coptlo some very valuable and interesting collections for the Imperial iMtthtfJj:^be sides Sir Walter's own Maori :•"*«»«*• &0. The Hon. R. J. Seddon has obtained a fine collection of Hmhen, ™»™S etones, ana marbles, shown by the .Public ■Works Department a S the Dooedln Ex- Mbltion, and afterwards handed to the Donedln Museum. Many specimens are in duplicate, and the selection made Is folly representative. The Rai.way Com. toissionershave handed over the collection of timbers made for the Chicago Exhibi tlon, and an excellent series ot photos. They also gave free railage to the other collections. A sample of Middle Island , coal is promised, but Kawakawa will be the only nne ready to go in tbe Coptic. Mr John Roberts has undertaken to col leot 8 proper, wool exhibit from the next dip, and Messrs Turnbull and Co. will do ■ the same with flax. The latter will be : ready for the opening. Mr Seddon will collect a mineral exhibit, and later on the Canterbury Museum will send a splendid moa skeleton similar to the one Sir Julius von Haas* valued at a thousand ponnds. Mr Mitchelson has promised a collection Of kauri gnro. The shipping companies will only charge half freights. Altogether the New Zealand court will not be badly represented at the opening, and by the time all the collections are in place it must be an attractive sight. The Premier has oabled that all the space would be Wed. The Evening Post to-day cabled £200 to Brisbane for the relief of the flood sufferers, making £500 forwarded. The list la still open. Th« first annual meeting of the Bnnby Union is called for April 22nd at Welling, ton. The affiliated unions have been already requested to hold tbeir meetings and consider the best means, of selecting B team for Australia. Lateb, Lord Hopetonn and party leave for Kapler on Satnrday morning, and proceed on to the Hot Lakes on Monday, leaving Auckland for Sydney on March 13. On arrival in Sydney Lord Hopetonn will make another exploring tour. Starting St Bourke, New South Wale?, he will ride through the interior to Walhalla in Queensland. The other members of the present party proceed from Sydney to Melbourne. Colonel Fox left to-day to inspect the Volunteers on the West Coast of the South Island. 