H.—lo

2

In that country up to the end of the year 91 applications were made for the avoidance or suspension of trade-marks; of these, 33 were refused and 17 withdrawn, while in 21 cases registration was suspended, and in 12 cases registration was avoided. The remaining applications were then pending. In his report the Comptroller-General of Patents, Nondon, states that "the policy has not been to destroy or confiscate the patent rights or rights arising from the registration of designs or trade-marks owned by alien enemies; the course taken has been to foster the sale and manufacture of goods by giving to the manufacturer or merchant an effective security against any legal proceedings for infringement hereafter." Although the staff has been slightly increased, the absence of members on military duty, and additional work in which it has been engaged in the compilation of a list of patents in force and the special investigation and requirements with regard to the nationality of applicants, has kept it fully occupied in spite of the falling-off in the number of applications in the latter part of the year. With the completion of the annual lists and other extra matter on which the Office has been engaged during the current year an opportunity will be afforded of revising the classification, preparing abridgments of patents for publication, and doing other work it is advisable to undertake, but for which time lias not hitherto been available. Patents. There were 1,574 applications for letters patent during the year, 201 short of the number received in 1913. 971 were left with provisional specifications and 003 with complete specifications, while 286 complete specifications were lodged in respect of applications with which provisional specifications were filed, making a total of 1,860 specifications, as compared with 2,051 for 1913, a difference of 191. The number of applications received up to 31st December was 35,761, and the patents then in force in New Zealand 3,523. The maintenance of the revenue in spite of the fewer applications is accounted for by the increase in the number of cases for sealing letters patent (£200) and the receipt of renewal fees due under the Act of 1911 after thiee years, involving an increase of £102 in addition to those payable after four rears and seven years in respect of patents granted under the former Act. The fewer applications received resulted in a corresponding reduction of fees under that head, and there is nothing calling for remark with regard to the other amounts. Thirty-two applications were received from women inventors (9 less than in 1913). 19 being in respect of domestic appliances, and 7 for articles of dress. Applications for patent of addition numbered 17 (6), and there were 23 (14) complete specifications in respect of cognate provisionals, the figures in parentheses being those for 1913. Examination op Specifications. While the Act enables the Office to inquire into the novelty of inventions sought to be patented, the extent to which such investigation can be carried out is limited by the time available for the work. At present no special provision is made for examination, and a certain number of patents are issued which a more adequate examination would enable the Office to restrict or refuse. The applications for the twelve months stated below were dealt with as follows :— Number of applications received from Ist June. 1913, to 31st May, 1914 (inclusive) ... ... ... ... ... ' ... 1,848 Applications in respect of which amendment under section 5, or compliance with other formalities, required before acceptance ... ... 417 Applications in respect of which amendment on account of want of novelty required before acceptance ... ... ... ... 139 Not accepted ... ... ... ... ... ... 77 Countries from which Applications received. hast year 1,045 applications were received from residents of New Zealand, and 529 from poisons living in other places. These numbers are respectively 128 and 73 less than those for the preceding year. The deficiency as regards applications from other countries is chiefly accounted for by 150 from Great Britain and 106 from the United States, as compared with 183 and 121 in 1913. The number from the Commonwealth was 221 in 1914. the same as in the previous year. Trend or Subject-matter of Invention. No subject stands out as haviug specially engaged attention during the year. As usual, the applications in respect of our industries are fairly well maintained. Under the heading "Dairying," 92 applications were received, as against 100 for 1913, the most noticeable feature being in respect of the releasers and teat-cup.-, of milking-machines. Attention seems to be given much more to the development of well-known types of machines than to any marked departure from generally recognized lines. Fibre-dressing accounted for 58 applications, about the same number as in the previous year. Invention with regard to this subject appears to have been to some extent stimulated by the offer of a bonus in connection with improved methods or machines. In cultivating and tilling' appliances an advance is shown from 25 applications in 1913 to 48 received last year. The large number of inventions recorded in respect of telephoning shows continued improvement in this subject, especially in respect of automatic and semi-automatic telephone systems. No other subject calls for any special remark.