Christchurch.

This Union was founded by Mrs. Leavett on the 15th May 1885.

The general meetings are held weekly, and the Executive meet monthly. A monthly evening meeting has been commenced, with a view of inducing young women engaged in business to attend.

There are one hundred and five working and nine honorary members.

A Prison Gate Mission has been formed; and, through Mrs. A. Dudley Ward's influence, a railway pass to and from Lyttelton has been obtained for the Superintendent, Mrs. Raffles. Eighty prisoners have been received into the Home during the past six months.

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The Superintendent of Evangelistic Work, Mrs. Lodge, has been carrying on her labours in connection with the Blue Ribbon and Gospel Temperance Mission; and from the second annual report we gather that 680 meetings have been held during the year.

The work for the suppression of the Social Evil has been carried on by the Superintendent, Mrs. Cunningham. Her labours were necessarily confined to writing, and the circulation of literature. At her request a series of addresses to men only, were delivered by the Rev. J. Holland; an address has also been written by her to married women, which is now published and circulated.

The Superintendent of Literature, Mrs. Isitt, has had some temperance tracts printed for circulation in Christchurch.

The first work undertaken by the Union, upon Mrs. Leavett's advice, was to canvass for signatures to the Barmaid petition; 4,800 signatures were obtained.

A social evening was held on the 24th September; the attendance was good. Several addresses were given, interspersed with vocal and instrumental music.

A Temperance Booth was erected on the grounds at the Agricultural Show, and £8 worth of temperance literature was purchased and distributed. The public showed a thorough appreciation of our efforts by their liberal patronage.

The members of the Union decided not to purchase from grocers holding spirit licenses.

Papers on the following subjects have been read before the Union :—

Brandy: what it does, and what it cannot do, by Miss Firth; The Nation's Curse and its Remedy, by Canon Farrar; Women's Responsibilities; Political Aspects of the Drink Traffic; Ladies' Dress; Social Reform; The Franchise; Woman, Her Influence and responsibilities; Drinks, Natural and Unnatural; Canon Farrar's Reply to Lord Bramwell; Panegyric on Strong Drink; Our Electoral Laws; two papers by Dr. Tivy, Sleep and Sleeplessness; Woman as a Citizen of the State; Band of Hope Work; Wheat Bread; Kindergarten Work; Unfermented Wine.

Gratitude is expressed for the liberal contributions of money and kind by the members.

While feeling conscious of the little amount done, the wish is expressed for an increased usefulness in the coming year.