H.—lo

2

A new departure has been initiated this year by the publication in the Patent Office Gazette of the " claims " made in the specifications of inventions. It has long been the desire of the office to render available to the public particulars of the inventions for -which applications for patents have been made. The most satisfactory way would be to print the specifications in full, but thi3 has been found to be impracticable owing to the cost. The " claims," however, as published, give a fair abstract from which a general idea of the novel features of the invention may be gathered, and any one interested is then able to obtain full particulars from the office. I believe the new departure has been appreciated by the public, and I notice that it has been followed in one of the Australian Colonies. The office staff, though small, is highly efficient. The presentation of this report has been delayed by the length of time occupied in the preparation and printing of the returns and tables in the Appendix. P. Waldegeave, Eegistrar. Patent Office, Wellington, 20th September, 1899.