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Applications in the other classes of invention in which this country is especially concerned show little variation in recent years. Taking the figures for the last three years, in cultivating there were 32 applications in 1916, 25 in 1915, and 48 in 1914 ; in dairying (not including milking), 21, 22, and 30 ; in trapping animals, 15, 12, and -10 ; in fencing, 23, 19, and 26 ; in harvesting, 9, 9, and 6 ; in railways, &c, 34, 32, and 77 ; in seed-dressing, 5, 6, and 10. The number of applications for bootmaking is well maintained, chiefly by reason of those received from one company, which now holds 237 patents in New Zealand (5-3 per cent, of total number in force), and has 19 applications pending. An increase is also shown in the number of applications relating to arms and munitions of war, but this country is not sufficiently to the fore in manufactures of that description to be likely to evolve anything of special value in that at present all-important subject. International Convention. Seventy-one applications were lodged in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention —17 per cent, of the foreign applications—as compared with 75, or 20 per cent., in tic previous year. From Australia only 19 were received—about half the number from that country under the Convention in 19.15 ; and from Great Britain 36, 12 more than in 1915. Registration of Designs. This little-sought form of protection was availed of to a slightly greater extent last year than formerly, the applications numbering 113 —24 more than in 1915, and the greatest number received in any one year. The revenue derived was £27. This amount is only about half the sum received in the previous year. The falling-off is due to the fact that while renewal of the registration was effected in 27 cases in 1915, chiefly of designs of one company, it was done in only 2 cases last year. Trade-marks. From 687 in 1914 the applications fell to 565 in 1915, but last year showed a recovery to 666. The number of trade-mark applications in New Zealand and various other countries over a period of years is shown in the following table : —

Applications during Past Five Years.

The revenue under this head is £1,191 45., an increase of £90 os. 3d. on that for the previous year. Countries from which Applications were received. Residents of New Zealand lodged 220 applications, 17 more than in 1915, and persons in other countries 451, 80 more than the number for 1915. There is an increase in the applications from Great Britain, 204 (158); Australia, 93 (84); and United States, 123 (102). Goods for which Trade-marks registered. The largest number of applications received in any one class is 132 (in substances used for food or as ingredients in food), as compared with 118 in 1915 and 116 in 1914. An increase also occurs in Class 1 (chemical substances used in manufactures), 25 (7); in Class 45 (tobacco), 20 (17) ;in Class 48 (perfumery), 40 (27); and in 30 other classes, while a decrease is shown in 11 classes. General. Notices of opposition were lodged in only 7 cases during the year. No appeal was given notice of or heard in 1916. Patent Agents. The number of Patent Agents on the Register is 23, one name being erased for non-payment of the annual practising fee. Staff. Wliile this Office has not had its staff depleted to the same extent as some others, it has, besides being deprived of the efficient assistance for the time being of its members who have gone to the war and of another member who retired to go into private practice and is now on active service, lost through transfer its senior clerk, whose long and faithful service in the Office has been marked by zeal and ability. Three cadets (two relieving) have been attached to the staff, which has endeavoured to overcome whatever disruption there has been in the work by the changes and to carry it on in an efficient manner.

Total for Five Years. Population. Applications per 10,000. Great Britain Australia United States New Zealand 42,236 8,551 36,075 3,503 46,064,738 4,904,044 95,410,503 1,102,800 9-1 17-4 3-8 31-7