H—lo

On Ist January, 1947, a modern system of classifying and indexing inventions was inaugurated, and, as circumstances permit, the reclassification of all applications filed prior to that date will be proceeded with. The table showing the number of applications for the different classes of inventions has been completed to the end of 1946 and is included in the Appendix. Subsequent tables will be in accordance with the new classification. Good progress was made during the year in dealing with the applications accumulated during the war years, when the staff was greatly reduced, but the difficulties have been added to by the phenomenal increase in the number of post-war applications. The additional appointments to the staff have accentuated the accommodation problem, and the provision of more spacious premises has become an urgent need. TRADE-MARKS All classes of goods were represented by the 1,670 applications received during the year, but, as in recent years, Classes 5, 25, 3, and 1 again predominated with 190, 172, 156, and 106 respectively. The bulk of the applications, however, were provided by four countries —namely, Great Britain, 567 ; New Zealand, 529 ; United States of America, 242 ; and Australia, 203. CONCLUSION The Appendix hereto contains the following tables, list, &c., viz.:— A. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1947. B. Table showing Receipts and Payments for each of the Last Ten Years. C. Particulars of Fees received for the Year ended 31st December, 1947, together with the Corresponding Figures for the Years 1941 to 1946 (inclusive). D. Total Number of Applications for Patents and for Registration of Designs and Trade-marks recorded for the Years 1914 to 1947 (inclusive). E. Number of Provisional and Complete Specifications received, &c., in each of the Years 1937 to 1947 (inclusive). F. Number of Applications for Patents from Persons in New Zealand and in other Countries in each of the Years 1939 to 1947 (inclusive). G. Number of Applications for Patents for the Different Classes of Inventions in each of the Years 1938 to 1946 (inclusive). H. Total Number of Letters Patent in Force each Year for the Period 1941 to 1947 (inclusive). I. Number of Applications for the Registration of Designs in each of the Fifteen Classes in each of the Years 1938 to 1947 (inclusive). J. Number of Applications for Registration of Trade-marks in each of the Years 1939 to 1947 (inclusive), showing Countries of Origin. K. Number of Applications to register Trade-marks in the Thirty-four Different Classes for the Period 11th December, 1941, to 31st December, 1947. A. H. Ihle, Commissioner of Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks. The Patent Office, Wellington, 10th May, 1948,

2