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1926. NEW ZEALAND

PATENTS, DESIGNS, AND TRADE-MARKS. THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 128 of the Patents, Designs, ard Trade-marks Act, 1921-22.

On the 31st October last Mr. J. C. Lewis retired from the Office, after forty years' devoted service. As his successor I have the honour, in pursuance of section 128, to submit my report on the proceedings under the Act during the past year. The revenue for the year ended 31st December, 1925, was £13,355 2s. This amount exceeded that of last year by £884 2s. 6d. and that of the highest previous year (1922) by £441 6s. 9d. The expenditure amounted to £5,509 Bs. 9d. This is £326 13s. sd. more than that for the year 1924, and is mainly attributable to printing, on which £1,883 was expended as compared with £1,494 in 1924. The amount paid in salaries and clerical assistance was £3,474 15s. lid., while the corresponding amount last year was £3,369 7s. Id. The surplus for the year was £7,845 13s. 3d., as compared with £7,288 4s. 2d. for the previous year, bringing the amount received over that expended since the Ist January, 1890, to £128,253 17s. sd. General Administration and Staff Reorganization. The most urgent problem since the last report has been the question of reorganizing and stabilizing the staff to the best advantage for immediate and future needs. In his last report my predecessor drew attention to work which, though requiring action, could not be undertaken with the staff he then had. Speaking of his staff, he reported that " though very diligent and efficient, it, is so small as to be barely able to cope with the current work of the Office." An unprecedented number of trained and partly trained officers have left the Office since then, and the position has become acute (vide Appendix 0). It therefore scarcely need be stated that the heavy staff depletion since my predecessor's report for 1924 has further arrested the carrying-out of a broad progressive policy in regard to patents and trade-marks. (Vide Thirty-sixth Annual Report, for 1924, " Other Matters requiring Attention.") Negotiations have, however, been in train since November last to meet this predicament as satisfactorily as possible. These negotiations are based on my recommendations for the provision of a permanent, suitably graded staff, incorporating all trained or partly trained men, in such relative positions to one another as will tend to stability, and will enable their experience to be utilized to the best all-round advantage in the reorganized staffIt is self-evident that such a permanent and suitably graded and stabilized staff is essential for efficient, economical running; and in view of improvements already effected or under way, there are grounds for expecting that the provision of such a staff will be an accomplished fact before the next report is presented. So soon as this staff is permanently constituted the immediate and main cause for anxiety will be removed, but for some years the Office will obviously be working under a heavy handicap through shortage of men sufficiently experienced in the work of the Office. The importance of maintaining an experienced staff has been urged, and in this connection it may be mentioned : — (a.) That the Office is concerned as much with the rights of overseas applicants (British and foreign) as with the rights of local applicants. The decisions of the Office from day to day, and its fortnightly Journal, are subject to criticism overseas by legal and technical experts, and by powerful commercial organizations. In fact, the overseas reputation of New Zealand in regard to industrial property rights depends primarily on the quality of the work of the Office. (6.) That the work of the Office is specialized and technical. This is recognized both in and beyond New Zealand. Australia, for instance, classifies a substantial part of its Patent Office staff as professional. In New Zealand, under the Patents, &c., Act, 1921-22, any appeals against decisions by the Office are considered by the Supreme Court. This Act also confers on the Office a special jurisdiction (without value limit) in certain matters previously reserved to the Supreme Court. According to a judgment in the Court of Appeal the question of registering a trade-mark is one of judicial discretion, or, rather, " of judicial policy, the act of granting registration being in effect an act quasi of legislation, as it affects the whole State " (Lever Bros. v. Newton and Sons (C.A.) 26 N.Z. L.R. 856, at p. 874). As regards judicial functions in its own specialized province, the Patent Office is comparable with the Mag'strate's Court rather than with non-legal branches of the Public Service whose duties are of a clerical nature. The statutory recognition of a duly examined profession (patent agency) whose members conduct patent proceedings before the Office, is further evidence of the specialized nature of patent work.

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As to the financial aspect of providing for thoroughly trained and experienced officers, it may be added that the Patent Office earns considerably more than it costs, though it was established to serve the public and not to obtain revenue. The average annual net cash profits for the past eight years is £6,767, and " a greater proportion of it (the Patent Office net profits) might be spent to advantage in placing the Office in a better position to deal with applications " (vide thirth-fourth Annual Report, for 1922). Classification of Inventions. The safety of a prudent inventor depends largely on the existence of a sound, conveniently arranged classification. In the absence of such a classification it is not reasonably practicable for an inventor to ascertain what prior applications, if any, anticipate him wholly or in part. He is therefore unable to act with a knowledge of facts which may render his patent valueless in law. In the report for 1924 my predecessor drew attention to the necessity for a substantial reviewing of the classification. Preliminary recommendations on this head were made by me in November last, and upon these recommendations being given effect to, and the permanent reorganization of the staff being accomplished, one of the important matters to be taken in hand for improvement will be the classification of inventions. Trade-mark Classification. A statutory duty is cast upon the Office to reject trade-marks that are too similar to trade-marks already registered. This duty cannot be discharged with certainty unless the trade-mark classification is scientifically and accurately compiled from day to day, by or under the close supervision of officers very thoroughly trained in trade-mark work. It is becoming increasingly necessary for officers to specialize in trade-mark work. This work is now more difficult than formerly, partly owing to complexity due to normal growth, and partly owing to the increased duties imposed on the Office by the Act of 1921-22. The present classification requires an extensive overhaul, but at present there are not sufficient trained men available to enable this work to be undertaken without detriment to ordinary current work. The building-up and maintaining of an experienced permanent trade-mark staff is therefore necessary to enable the Office to continue the satisfactory performance of its duties under the Act. Patents. The number of applications received in respect of patents during last year was 2,046, compared with 2,085 in the preceding year. There were 1,105 (1,143)* provisional specifications lodged with applications, and in 941 cases (942) a complete specification was lodged with the application. The number of complete specifications left during the year in respect of applications for which provisional specifications had previously been filed was 282 (299). The total number of applications up to the 31st December, 1925, was 55,617, and the number of patents in force on that date was 7,205. The amount received during the year in respect of patents was £9,053 3s. 5d., being £642 10s. 3d. more than in 1924, which was the highest amount previously received. The number of assignments, licenses, &c., in respect of patents was 140, compared with 128 in 1924. There were 3 (2) patents sealed after prescribed time, and restoration granted in 4 (7) cases. The fees from these sources amounted to £127 10s., as compared with £155 for the year 1924. The amendment of the principal Act to enable complete specifications to be accepted after the prescribed time was taken advantage of in 2 cases. Designs. There were 203 applications lodged during the year. This is 18 in excess of the number in the preceding year. The applications for the previous four years being respectively 141, 214, 183, and 185. The total number of applications up to the 31st December, 1925, was 2,182. The total number of registrations in force on the 31st December, 1925, was 898, including 80 which had been renewed for the second term and 19 in which the period of copyright had been extended for the third term. The number of applications received from persons resident in New Zealand was 123 ; 45 were from Great Britain ; 16 from Australia ; and 10 from the United States of America. Trade - marks. The applications received during the year totalled 1,332, being the largest number received in any one year—except 1920, in which 1,391 were received, and 1924, in which 1,338 wi re received. The fees paid amounted to £4,093 18s. 9d. —£214 7s. 3d. more than in the preceding year. The number of applications was greatest in the following classes of goods : " Chemical substances prepared for use in medicine and pharmacy " (Class 3), 83 (94)*; " Articles of clothing " (Class 38), 109 (105); "Substances used as food or ingredients in food " (Class 42), 193 (198) ; and " Candles, soap, and other laundry articles, oils, &c." (Class 47), 84 (123). The number of applications received up to 31st December, 1889, was 1,213. From that date to 31st December, 1925, the number was 23,542, giving a total of 24,755. Countries from which Applications were received. —The number of applications —510 —received from residents of this country was the same as that of 1924; 332 (355) were received from Great Britain, 200 (195) from the United States, 70 (78) from New South Wales, 37 (115) from Victoria, 6 (0) from Queensland, 1 (0) from South Australia, 33 (19) from Canada, and 47 (25) from Germany. The total number from the British Empire (including New Zealand) was 996, as compared with 1,079 for 1924 and 911 for 1923, or 75 per cent, of the total received.

* The figures in parentheses are for 1924.

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Patent Agents. No names were added to the register. The total number now on the register is nineteen. Acknowledgment op Work of Staff and op Local Patent Officers. It is with pleasure that appreciation is expressed of the manner in which the staff has worked. Acknowledgments are also due to the various Local Patent Officers throughout New Zealand, in regard to receiving applications and forwarding them to Wellington for recording and action. The Late Registrar. It is desired to place on record a tribute from the Office to its late chief, Mr. J. C. Lewis. Beginning his training in Patent Office duties as a junior over forty years ago, he finally rose to the registrarship. One of the duties of the Office is to act as guardian of the public in connection with registrations of industrial property, and difficult problems affecting public and private rights continually arise. In obtaining solutions for these problems Mr. Lewis showed not only unusual courtesy, tact, and devotion to duty, but also an integrity and ability that were widely known and respected. Towards the end of his career he represented New Zealand abroad at a technical conference of British States on patents. His mature knowledge of patent and trade-mark property was held in high repute by applicants and professional men alike, and his retirement was the occasion of tokens of esteem from those most intimately acquainted with his work. » Conclusion. The Appendix hereto contains the following tables, lists, &c., viz. : — Page A. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1925 .. 3 B. Table showing Receipts and Payments for each of the Last Eight Years .. .. 4 C. Particulars of Fees received .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 D. Staff of Officers, and Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 E. Total Number of Applications for Patents and Registration of Designs and Trade-marks recorded for the Years 1890, 1900, and 1910 to 1925 (inclusive) .. .. 5 F. Number of Provisional and Complete Specifications received, &c. .. .. .. 5 G. Number of Applications for Patents from Persons residing in New Zealand and in other Countries in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925 .. .. .. .. 5 H. Table showing Number of Applications for the Different Classes of Inventions for each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 6 I. Applications pending at end of Year 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 6 J. Patents in Force at End of Year 1925 .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 K. Table showing Total Number of Applications, Letters Patent sealed, and Letters Patent in Force for Full Term under the Different Patents Acts .. .. 7 L. Number of Applications for Registration of Designs in each of the Fifteen Classes in the Year 1925 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..7 M. Number of Applications for Registration of Trade-marks from Persons residing in New Zealand and other Countries in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925 .. 7 N. Number of Applications to register Trade-marks in the Fifty Different Classes in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925 .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 O. Summary of Deficit in Experienced Officers, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 8 H. T. Atkinson, Patent Office, Wellington, 14th June, 1926. Registrar.

APPENDIX. A. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1925. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. Patent fees .. .. .. .. 9,053 3 5 Salaries and temporary assistance .. 3,474 15 11 Design fees .. .. .. .. 132 8 6 Fees to local Patent officers .. .. 217 6 Trade-mark fees .. .. .. 4,093 18 9 Fuel, light, &c. .. .. .. 33 13 0 Sale of Acts, Journals, &c. .. .. 75 11 4 Office requisites .. .. .. 0 9 8 Postage, &c. .. .. .. .. 81 7 6 Printing and stationery .. .. 1,883 15 4 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 016 6 Typewriter repairs .. .. .. 414 10 Contingencies .. .. .. 4 0 6 Refunds .. .. .. .. 22 18 0 Balance .. .. .. .. 7,845 13 3 £13,355 2 0 £13,355 2 0 H. T. Atkinson, Registrar. I hereby certify that the Statement of Receipts and Payments has been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly states the position as disclosed thereby. Copyright fees are not included. —G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

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B.—Table showing Receipts and Payments for each of the Last Eight Years.

C.—Particulars of Fees received from Ist January to 31st December, 1925. Patents. £ s. d. £ s. d. Applications for patents with provisional On request to correct clerical errors .. 2 5 0 specifications .. .. .. 1,11000 Certificates of Registrar .. .. 29 0 0 Applications for patents with complete Copies of specifications and drawings .. 40 6 6 specifications .. .. .. 1,924 0 0 Patent Agents'renewal fees .. .. 39 18 0 Complete specifications left after provi- Application for registration as Patent Agent 3 3 0 sional specifications .. .. .. 564 0 0 Searches .. .. .. .. 38 18 9 Applications for extension of time .. 187 15 0 Amendment of letters patent .. .. 14 0 0 On giving notice of opposition .. .. 410 0 Request to enter change of name .. 410 0 On hearing opposition ~ .. 8 0 0 Application for issue of acceptance under On request for sealing letters patent .. 1,051 0 0 section 4, Patents, Designs, and TradeOn application for sealing letters patent marks Amendment Act, 1924 .. 4 0 0 after prescribed time .. .. 6 0 0 On issue of acceptance under section 4of On sealing letters patent after prescribed Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks time .. .. .. .. 8 10 0 Amendment Act, 1924 .. .. 22 0 0 Renewal fees paid before end of third year 1,974 0 0 Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. 317 2 Renewal fees paid before end of sixth year 1,826 0 0 Revocation of letters patent .. .. 2 0 0 Applications for restoration of lapsed Application for endorsement of letters patents .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 patent" Licenses of right" .. .. 2 0 0 On restoration of letters patent .. 93 0 0 On request to enter name of subsequent £9,053 3 5 proprietor on register .. .. 70 0 0 =«==«= Designs. £ s. d. £ s. d. Applications for registration of designs .. 90 15 0 Copies of drawings .. .. .. 15 0 On extension of period of eopjTight under Copy of certificate of registration .. 0 10 section 56 (2) .. .. .. 28 0 0 Certificate of Registrar .. .. 0 5 0 On extension of period of copyright under Change of address .. .. .. 0 5 0 section 56 (3) . . .. .. 10 0 0 Searches (Regulation 42) .. .. 0 5 6 £132 8 6 Assignment of designs .. .. 10 0 .n. .. . ■ ... Searches (office) .. .. .. 0 12 0 Trade-marks. £ s. d. £ g, d. Applications for registration .. .. 992 5 0 Searches (Regulation 84) .. .. 33 10 6 On registration .. .. .. 1,706 15 11 Searches (office) .. .. .. 21 19 0 On association .. .. .. 21 0 0 On restoration of trade-mark .. .. 3 0 0 On renewal of registration .. .. 1,044 14 9 On request to correct clerical errors .. 4 0 0 Application for extension of time .. 44 15 0 Entry in register of rectification thereof .. 010 0 On giving notice of opposition .. .. 13 4 6 Alteration of trade-marks .. .. 3 5 0 On hearing opposition .. .. 6 0 0 Request to strike out goods .. .. 010 0 On assignment of trade-marks .. .. 132 5 0 Entry of disclaimer .. .. .. 110 0 Amendment .. .. .. .. 4110 Copies of trade-mark documents .. 0 4 0 On cancellation .. .. . . 315 0 Copy of entry on register .. .. 0 10 Extra space in Journal .. .. 25 10 0 Copy of evidence .. ... .. 014 0 Copies of trade-mark certificates .. 17 0 Declaration in opposition . . .. 010 0 Request to enter change of address .. 4 2 0 Miscellaneous.. .. . . .. 0 2 1 Request to enter change of name ..3 8 0 Certificates of Registrar .. .. 19 15 0 £4,093 18 9 Copies of certificates of Registrar .. 0 15 0 . i . . D. Staff of Officers, and Salaries, for Year ending 31st March, 1926. £ S. d. £ 8. d. Registrar .. .. .. 665 0 0 Cadet .. .. .. .. 95 0 0 Deputy Registrar .. .. 400 0 0 Cadet ._ . .. .. .. 80 0 0 Clerk; ... .. 295 0 0 Cadet .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Clerk (temporary) .. .. 260 0 0 Typist .. .. 160. 0 0 Clerk (temporary) .. .. 234 00- Typist.: .. ~ v. :. 143" 0 0 Clerk (temporary) .. .. 221 0 0 Typist.. .. . . .. 91 0 0 Clerk .. .. .. .. 210 0 0 Librarian .. .. .. 290 0 0 Clerk .. .. .. .. 190 0 0

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Year. Beceipts. Payments. Surplus. Year. Receipts. \ Payments. Surplus. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1918 8,175 19 0 2,831 9 1 5,344 9 11 1922 12,913 15 3 3,880 0 8 9,033 14 7 1919 9,345 1 2 3,373 6 9 5,971 14 5 1923 11,667 18 5 4,809 8 11 6,858 9 6 1920 9,696 17 4 3,736 4 1 5,960 13 3 1924 12,470 19 6 5,182 15 4 7,288 4 2 1921 9,857 1 10 4,016 13 5 5,840 8 5 1925 13,355 2 0 5,509 8 9 7,845 13 3

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E.—Total Number of Applications for Patents and Registration of Designs and Trademarks recorded for the Years 1890, 1900, and 1910 to 1925 (inclusive).

F.—Number of Provisional and Complete Specifications received, etc.

G.—Number of Applications for Patents from Persons residing in New Zealand and in other Countries in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925.

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Year. Patents. Designs. Trade-marks. Total. 1890 | 616 5 160 781 1900 ! 1,009 15 348 1,372 1910 i 1,831 46 818 2,695 1911 1,740 21 861 2,622 1912 i 1,737 44 779 2,560 1913 | 1,775 65 787 2,627 1914 I 1,574 55 687 2,316 1915 | 1,299 89 565 1,953 1916 I 1,261 113 666 2,040 1917 1,329 83 619 2,031 1918 1,366 53 695 2,134 1919 1,880 74 1,272 3,226 1920 2,193 109 1,391 3,693 1921 I 2,115 141 994 3,250 1922 i 2,183 214 1,103 3,500 1923 i 2,075 183 1,163 3,421 1924 2,085 185 1,338 3,608 1925 i 2,046 203 1,332 3,581

Number of Appli- Number of Appli- ! . , 1 ? m ? 1 ' 0 , j Number of Appli- | „ °f § cations with which cations with which PP ° r cations abandoned,! Number of j uri ) er ,2 Complete Specifi- Provisional Specifica- Q . fl ? pee lapsed, or 1 Patents sealed. L °,. * 1 jtST N.Z. Foreign. N.Z. Foreign. N.Z. Foreign. N.Z. Foreign. N.Z. Foreign. 1910 250 413 990 148 254 75 925 125 306 475 1,831 1911 245 434 935 126 258 59 849 86 323 482 1,740 1912 258 507 '877 95 275 35 817 78 334 508 1,737 1913 217 467 965 126 249 58 910 94 272 499 1,775 1914 177 426 868 103 228 45 782 96 273 423 1,574 1915 140 286 787 86 322 46 669 78 266 288 1,299 1916 178 297 699 87 194 38 630 67 245 319 1,261 1917 183 360 708 84 203 41 580 57 249 385 1,329 1918 143 454 704 88 245 39 540 72 284 442 1,389 1919 200 685 906 91 279 42 707 77 321 689 1,880 1920 250 890 949 110 249 37 725 123 330 1,030 2,199 1921 194 722 1,080 119 310 42 890 107 398 730 2,115 1922 203 686 1,190 104 328 38 992* 92* 406* 693* 2,183 1923 221 701 1,041 112 256 57 2,075 1924 190 752 1,032 111 304 35 2,085 1925 177 764 1,007 98 2,046 * These figures are necessarily incomplete, as the time for proceeding further with the applications has not yet expired. Note. —A few applications were received from joint applicants resident in different countries, also from applicants giving two addresses ; the figures will therefore total more than the actual number of applications receivtd.

I 1923. 1924. 1925. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1 j New Zealand .. 1,262 1,233 1,183 Java .. .. .. 1 Argentine Republic .. 3 3 2 Kenya (East Africa).. .. .. 1 Austria .. .. .. 2 1 Netherlands .. 5 18 16 Belgium .. . • 6 8 4 New South Wales .. 115 116 132 Canada .. .. 19 10 12 Northern Nigeria .. .. .. 1 Cuba .. .. .. 1 .. Norway .. .. 2 1 3 Czecho-Slovakia .. 2 2 .. Queensland.. .. 17 22 23 Denmark .. .. 6 17 8 Russia .. .. 1 Federated Malay States • .. 1 .. South Australia .. 11 13 26 Finland .. . • 1 •. .. Sweden .. .. 13 2 10 France .. .. 15 10 22 Switzerland .. 2 5 7 Germany .. .. 3 19 20 Tasmania .. .. 7 4 8 Great Britain .. 287 " "285 279 Union of South Africa 3 5 4 Hawaii .. .. .: - - 1" .. United States of 129 235 180 Hungary .. .. •• 1 America India .. . ■ 1 .. 3 Victoria .. .. 141 138 99 Italy .. .. 7 8 12 Western Australia 14 9 7 Japan .. .. 1 1 3 Not®. —A few applications were received from joint applicants resident in different countries, also from applicants giving two addresses ; the figures will therefore total more than the actual number of applications received.

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H. —Table showing Number of Applications for Patents for the Different Classes of Inventions for each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925.

I.—Applications pending at End of Year 1925. Total, 2,069. J.—Patents in Force at End op Year 1925. Patents sealed from 31st December, 1922 to 31st December, 1925 .. .. 2,905 Third-year fees paid from 31st December, 1922, to 31st December, 1925 .. 1,955 Sixth-year fees paid from 31st December, 1915, to 31st December, 1925 .. 1,981 Seventh-year fees paid from 31st December, 1916, to 31st December, 1925 .. 364 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,205

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I Class. | 1923. 1921. 1925. Class. 1923. 1924. 1925. Advertising and displaying signs, 26 32 27 Illuminating (except gas-manufao- 71 75 67 &c. ! ture) Aeronautics .. .. .. 7 7 7 Indicating, calculating, and measur- 84 53 56 Amusements, music, exercisers, 84 75 81 ing (including moisture-testers) games, &o. Attaching and scouring (including 76 44 | 46 Kitchen utensils and oooking- 85 67 62 bolts, ties, &c.) applianoes (including ovens) Boilers (steam) .. .. .. 12 20 14 Lifting, hauling, and loading .. 50 52 71 Boots and shoes.. .. .. 39 32 I 37 Locks, latches, and hinges .. 33 30 26 Bottles, bottling, and glass-working 29 .31 j 28 Boxes, cans, and casks .. .. Ill 107 j 80 Marine and submarine (including 16 28 29 Brewing, distilling, &c. .. .. 12 7 9 lake and river engineering) Brooms and brushes (including 20 24 16 Marking (tickets, labels, &c.) .. 13 8 9 mops) j Medicines and surgical appliances 49 33 33 Building-construction .. .. 60 18 47 (including ear-instruments, dental „ (brick and cement com- 69 64 j 50 work, &c.) positions and moulding) | j Metal-working (inoluding welding, 36 27 37 (windows and doors) 56 30 33 j stamping, and plating) j Milking-machines* .. 94 72 58 Chemicals .. ... .. 35 39 36 | Minerals (inoluding filtration, lixi- 35 28 20 Cleaning, polishing, &c. .. .. 26 24 j 27 j viation, screens, &o.) Closets and urinals .. .. 33 25 I 18 j „ (magnetic separators) .. 2 Coin-freed mechanism .. .. 2 .. 5 „ (stampers and pulverizers) 1 ! 1 5 Cooling and freezing .. 31 19 19 Cultivating and tilling .. .. 34 62 68 Oils and lubricators .. .. 37 24 36 Cutting and sawing, and tools .. 85 55 j 65 Paints and painting (inoluding 18 17 11 Dairying* .. .. 98 59 j 37 l<auri-gum) Drains and sewers .. .. 7 10 | 5 Pipes, tubes, and hose .. .. 29 j 29 21 Dredging and excavating (inoluding 8 13 12 Preserving .. .. .. 22 22 11 rook-drills) j Presses .. .. 23 9 14 Drying .. .. .. 26 20 i 16 Printing and photography .. 38 39 31 Pumps and sprayers (except rotary 29 13 15 Electricity and magnetism .. 122 124 i 126 pumps) Engines (air, gas, and oil) .. 49 56 1 52 (steam), including rotary 25 13 8 Railways and tramways .. 81 65 58 pumps j Boads and ways (inoluding road- 21 19 28 „ (miscellaneous and engine 90 59 | 75 watering) accessories), including current motors, solar ' Seed-dressing, chaff-cutting, and 13 7 5 motors, tide motors, ! threshing wave motors, wind- Seed-sowers .. .. .. 4 5 9 mills miscellaneous Sewing and knitting .. ..29 13 14 motors Sheep and cattle (including veteri- 26 34 25 Explosives, firearms, and targets 5 1 7 nary applianoes) Exterminating (including trapping 26 24 39 Sheep shearing and clipping 10 8 7 animals) Shop and hotel fittings .. .. 25 19 15 Stationery and paper .. 62 38 34 Fencing .. .. 20 26 20 „ (strainers) .. .. 6 5 11 Telephony and telegraphy (including 128 164 213 Fibre-dressing (including rope- 14 8 18 phonographs) making) Tobacco .. .. 11 9 16 Filters .. .. .. .. 8 3 8 Fire alarms, escapes, ladders, and 23 28 15 Valves and cocks .. ..21 29 18 extinguishers Vehicles .. .. .. 175 212 226 Pood .. .. .. 30 34 27 „ (velocipedes) .. 45 42 35 Furnaces and kilns (including smoke- 26 18 14 Ventilating .. .. .. 9 6 3 consumers) Furniture and upholstery, desks, 100 63 61 Washing and cleansing .. 32 27 22 blinds, curtains, &c. Water-supplying .. 16 19 13 Wearing-apparel .. .. j 75 48 49 Gas-manufacture for lighting, heat- 15 8 9 Wools and hides .. 13 7 10 ing, or power purposes Miscellaneous inventions not in j 23 18 13 Harness (including horse, &c., covers) 8 8 7 other classes, as indiarubberHarvesting and grading .. 20 15 8 manufacture, fishing-appliances, Heating, and fuel-manufaoture .. 79 77 86 &o. * Prior to 1911, milking-machines were included in class "Dairying," but are now a separate class. Note.—-Owing to some inventions being classified under more than one heading, the figures will total more than the actual number of applications received.

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K. —Table showing Total Number of Applications for Patents, Letters Patents sealed, and Letters Patent in Force for Full Term under the Different Patents Acts, up to 31st December, 1925 (inclusive).

L.- —Number of Applications for Registration of Designs in each of the Fifteen Classes in the Year 1925. Class 1. —Articles composed wholly of metal or in which metal predominates, and jewellery .. 106 Class 2. —Books and bookbinding of all materials .. .. .. .. .. 3 Class 3. —Articles composed wholly of wood, bone, ivory, papier-mache, or other solid substances not included in other classes, or of materials in which such substances predominate .. 43 Class 4. —Articles composed wholly of glass, earthenware, or porcelain, clay (burnt or baked), or cement, or in which such materials predominate .. .. .. . . 18 Class 5. —Articles composed wholly of paper, cardboard, millboard, or strawboard (except articles incuded in Class 2, and paperhangings), or in which such materials predominate .. .. 15 Class 6. —Articles composed wholly of leather or in which leather predominates, not included in other classes .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Class 7. —Paperhangings .. . . .. .. . . .. .. .-. Class B.—Carpets, rugs, and floor-coverings in all materials Class 9. —Lace Class 10. —Boots and shoes Class 11.—Millinery and wearing-apparel (except boots and shoes) .. .. .. .. 7 Class 12. —Goods not included in other classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Class 13. —Printed or woven designs on textile piece-goods (other than checks or stripes) . . 1 Class 14. —Printed or woven designs on handkerchiefs and shawls (other than checks or stripes) 2 Class 15.—Printed or woven designs on textile piece-goods or on handkerchiefs or shawls being checks or stripes 203

M.—Number of Applications for Registration of Trade-marks from Persons residing in New Zealand and in other Countries in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925.

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Number ,, , Total on which . *™\ eT Number of Letters Patent 0 . . a , ei ' s °, n Applications. have been w^ h F !" al sealed. * ee pald ' Act of 1860 ... ... 1861 to 1870 ... ... 109 109 109 „ 1870 ... ... 1871 to 1883 ... ... 881 687 465 „ 1883... ... 1884 to 1889 ... ... 3,170 1,757 368 Acts of 1889 and 1908 1890 to 30th June, 1912 ... 27,419 12,711 2,591 Act of 1911 ... ... 1st July, 1912, to 30ch June, 1922 16,750 7,773 1,660 „ 1921-22 ... ... 7,288 3,912 Grand totals ... ... 55,617 26,949 5,193

j 1923. J 1924. | 1925. : 1923. 1924. 1925. New Zealand .. 442 510 510 India . . .. 2 1 Austria .. . . • ■ . . 1 Italy . . .. 2 8 3 Belgium .. .. 1 1 2 Japan .. .. .. 2 Brazil .. •. 2 .. .. Netherlands .. 3 11 18 Canada .. .. 19 19 33 New South Wales .. 76 78 70 Ceylon .. • • • ■ •. 2 Norway . . .. 17 4 2 China . • •. 1 • ■ • • Queensland.. .. 3 .. 6 Cuba .. ■ • 1 .. .. South Australia .. 2 .. 1 Czecho-Slovakia .. 1 2 3 Spain .. .. .. 1 1 Denmark .. .. .. 7 .. Sweden .. .. 7 5 17 Dutch East Indies .. .. 1 . . Switzerland .. .. 6 6 Finland .. ■ ■ 1 5 14 Union of South Africa 3 1 5 France .. •• 23 20 20 UnitedStatesof Germany .. .. 5 j 25 47 America .. .. 190 195 200 Great Britain .. 331 355 332 Victoria .. .. 33 115 37 Hungary .. .. " ' ■ • Western Australia .. .. .. 1 Notb.—A few applications were received from joint applicants resident in different countries, also from applicants giving two addresses; the figures will therefore total more than the actual number of applications received.

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N. —Number of Applications to register Trade-marks in the Fifty Different Classes in each of the Years 1923, 1924, and 1925.

0. —Summary of Deficit in Experienced Officers, etc. Out of a staff of fifteen, no less than seven trained or partly trained officers have left since February, f925. The numerical strength has necessarily been made up by officers completely untrained in patent work, among the appointees being four cadets straight from school. The training of these officers has caused substantial loss of time to the rest of the staff. One of the seven who have left was the late Registrar who had had forty years' Patent Office experience. The departure of the other six officers, who were appointed in respect of four positions, represents a further loss to the office of ten and a. half years' experience in patent work. In short, the staff is seriously depleted of experience, and, moreover, requires reorganization on a suitable permanent basis. Temporary assistance has cost £1,860 (approximately) for the last three years- i.e., £620 yearly.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (575 copies), £14 ss.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinnek, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926,

Price §(Z.]

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Classen. Classification oi Goods. j 1923. 1924. 1925. 1 Chemical substances used in manufactures, photography, or philosophical 30 32 37 research, and anti-corrosives 2 Chemical substances used for agricultural, horticultural, veterinary, and 39 49 54 sanitary purposes 3 Chemical substances prepared for use in medicine and pharmacy .. .. 82 94 83 4 Raw or partly prepared vegetable, animal, and mineral substances used in 18 16 20 manufactures not included in other classes 5 Unwrought and partly wrought metals used in manufacture .. .. 15 15 15 6 Machinery of all kinds, and parts of machinery, except agricultural and 36 29 38 horticultural machines included in Class 7 7 Agricultural and horticultural machinery, and parts of such machinery 12 9 17 8 Philosophical instruments, scientific instruments, and apparatus for useful 50 65 75 purposes ; instruments and apparatus for teaching 9 Musical instruments .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 13 12 10 Horological instruments .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 10 5 11 Instruments, apparatus, and contrivances, not medicated, for surgical or 4 9 22 curative purposes, or in relation to the health of men or animals 12 ~ Cutlery and edge tools .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 18 20 13 Metal goods not included in other classes .. .. .. .. 41 59 55 14 Goods of precious- metals (including aluminium, nickel, Britannia-metal, 2 6 8 &c.) and jewellery, and imitations of such goods and jewellery 15 Glass .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 17 18 16 Porcelain and earthenware .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 6 3 17 Manufactures from mineral and other substances for building or decoration 9 19 22 18 Engineering, architectural, and building contrivances .. .. .. 10 17 24 19 Arms, ammunition, and stores not included in Class 20 .. .. .. 3 2 4 20 Explosive substances .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 21 Naval architectural contrivances and naval equipments not included in .. 1 4 Classes 19 and 20 22 Carriages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 11 12 23 (a) Cotton-yarn; (6) sewing-cotton .. .. .. .. .. 4 13 6 24 Cotton piece-goods of all kinds .. .. .. .. .. 29 34 21 25 Cotton goods not included in Classes 23, 24, and 38 .. .. 7 5 7 26 Linen and hemp yarn and thread .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 27 Linen and hemp piece-goods .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 4 1 28 Linen and hemp goods not included in Classes 26, 27, and 50 ,. .. 1 2 1 29 Jute yarns and tissues, and other articles made of jute not included in 1 12 Class 50 30 Silk, spun, thrown, or sewing .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 31 Silk piece-goods .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 32 Other silk goods not included in Classes 30 and 31 .. .. .. .. 2 2 33 Yarns of wool, worsted, or hair .. .. .. .. .. 4 7 3 34 Cloths and stuffs of wool, worsted, or hair .. .. .. .. 10 8 6 35 Woollen and worsted and hair goods not included in Classes 33 and 34 2 2 2 36 Carpets, floorcloth, and oilcloth .. .. .. .. .. 5 7 3 37 Leather, skins (unwrought and wrought), and articles made of leather not 4 12 11 included in other classes 38 Articles of clothing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 115 105 109 39 Paper (except paperhangings), stationery, and bookbinding .. .. 41 55 46 40 Goods manufactured from indiarubber and guttapercha not included in other 23 17 18 classes 41 Furniture and upholstery .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 10 6 42 Substances used as food or as ingredients in food .. .. .. 211 198 192 43 Fermented liquors and spirits .. .. .. .. .. 16 26 54 44 Mineral and aerated waters (natural and artificial), including ginger-beer .. 12 17 12 45 Tobacco, whether manufactured or unmanufactured .. .. . . 34 48 33 46 Seeds for agricultural and horticultural purposes .. .. .. 2 1 1 47 Candles, common soap, detergents ; illuminating, heating, or lubricating oils ; 88 123 84 matches ; and starch, blue, and other preparations for laundry purposes 48 Perfumery (inoluding toilet articles), preparations for the teeth and hair, and 60 64 70 perfumed soap 49 Games of all kinds, and sporting articles not included in other classes 18 4 7 50 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67 76 82