3

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International Convention. Fewer applications were made under the Convention, 39 in 1908, and 48 in 1907. The countries from which these applications were received are as follows : United Kingdom, 17 (30) ; Australia, 15 (9) ; and Canada, Germany, Holland, India, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States of America, 1 each. It is desirable that the special requirements of this office in respect of these applications be made more widely known, and steps are being taken in this direction which will probably result in an increased number of cases under the Convention. DESIGNS. A larger number of designs were registered in 1908 than in any previous year. Of the entries, 16 were in Class 1 (" articles composed wholly or partly of metal not included in Class 2 "), 1 in Class 2 (" jewellery "), 52 in Class 3 (" articles composed wholly or partly of wood, bone, ivory, papier mache, or other solid substances not included in other classes "), 3 in Class 4 (" articles composed wholly or partly of glass, earthenware, or porcelain, bricks, tiles, or cement "), 1 in Class 8 (" carpets and rugs in all materials, floor-cloths, and oil-cloths), 5 in Class 10 (" millinery and wearing-apparel, including boots and shoes "), and 1 in Class 12 (" goods not included in other classes "). TRADE-MARKS. The number of applications made in 1908 for registration of trade-marks was 685, or one more than in 1907. The receipts from this source amounted to £892 12s. 4d., or £110 ss. Bd. less than in 1907, fewer registrations and renewals of marks being effected, and assignments, &c, registered in 1908 than in the preceding year. Goods for which Tbade-marks registered. Out of the 685 applications received, 130, or 18 per cent., were in Class 42 in respect of " substances used as food or as ingredients in food," 9 more than in 1907. Increases also occur in Class 38 (clothing), 38 (32) ; in Class 45 (tobacco), 31 (18) ; in Class 13 (metal goods), 30 (22) ; and in Class 39 (paper and stationery), 23 (14). Fewer applications were made in Class 47 (oils, detergents, See.), 41 (56) ; in Class 3 (medicines), 49 (53) ; and there is little difference in the number in the other classes from that of the preceding year. Countries from which Applications were received. Rather less than half the number of applications received were from residents of New Zealand— 307, as compared with 303 in the previous year. Applications from the United Kingdom numbered 227, 40 more than in 1907 ; and from the rest of Europe, 52 (49). The number from the United States dropped from 60 in 1907 to 40 in 1908 ; the Australian applications from 114 to 66. GENERAL. Local Patent Offices. These offices were established at various places, in order that inventors throughout the country might be placed as far as possible on an equal footing in filing their applications at the earliest date possible. Six additions were made during the year to these offices, which are now situated at Auckland, AVhangarei, Thames, Waihi, Hamilton, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Napier, Wanganui, Taihape, Palmerston North, Masterton, Nelson, Blenheim, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Clyde, Gore, Queenstown, Invercargill. Arrangements were made during the year for applications for designs and trade-marks to be also left at these offices ; but as this is not provided for by the Act, the date of filing is still considered to be that on which the documents reach this office. In addition to sending one set of the complete specifications accepted to Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin in succession, to which reference was made in my former report, classified abridgments of inventions are now supplied to these offices, and, though at present not much referred to, will no doubt come more into use, and prove useful to inventors and others in readily ascertaining the nature of inventions patented. Opposition. Notice of opposition was lodged in respect of 23 applications. No appeals were heard during the year. Publications. The name indexes for patents from 1861 to 1889 and for trade-marks from 1868 to 1906 have been printed, but pressure of other business has prevented the publication of the other indexes referred to in my last report. It is desirable to proceed with this work as opportunity occurs, and to have the indexes available for use in this office and local patent offices, as well as for sale and distribution to the patent offices of other countries,.from whom similar publications are regularly received. It has been suggested from time to time that the specifications and drawings of all inventions patented at this office be printed, but the cost has stood in the way of the work being undertaken. The printing and circulating of the specifications and drawings of the inventions patented in connection with our principal industries could be effected at comparatively small cost, and would in my opinion have a stimulating effect on those industries, and I recommend that this work be undertaken.