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Although the Patent Office is handicapped in the matter of staff and accommodation, substantial progress was made during the year in dealing with the accumulation arising out of the war, and a record total of 2,176 applications proceeded to acceptance. TRADE-MARKS The 1,4-39 applications covered all classes. Classes 5 (pharmaceutical, veterinary, and sanitary substances) and 25 (clothing) again predominated with 190 and 184 respectively; and they were followed by Class 3 (soaps, cosmetics, &c.), 138 ; Class 24 (tissues (piece-goods)), 97 ; Class 1 (chemical products used in industry), 73 ; Class 30 (groceries), 63 ; and Class 9 (electrical apparatus), 62. The countries from which the applications originated were : New Zealand, 510 ; Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 482 ; United States of America, 189 ; Australia, 115 ; Switzerland, 54 ; France, 22 ; Canada, 11 ; and eleven others, 56. Renewal of the registration of 1,401 trade-marks was effected during the year. DESIGNS Applications for the registration of designs totalled 229, making in all 5,840 applications since the inception of design registration in New Zealand. The bulk of the applications were divided between Classes 1, 3, 4, and 5, with 100, 58, 33, and 21 respectively. PATENTS COMMISSION The Commission which was set up under Warrant of the 28th April, 1948, to inquire whether any, and if so what, changes were desirable in the Patents, Designs, and Trademarks Act, 1908, the Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act, 1921-22, and the several Acts amending those Acts, and in the practice of the Patent Office and of the Courts in relation to matters arising therefrom, began its public sittings, all of which were held in Wellington, on the 11th May, 1948. Further sittings were held at intervals during the remainder of the year, and, as much evidence still remained to be taken, the date on which the Commission was required under the warrant to make its report was extended from the 31st January, 1949, to the 31st July, 1949. The members of the Commission are — Herbert Edgar Evans, Esquire, K.C., of Wellington, Solicitor-General (Chairman); George William Clinkard, Esquire, of Wellington, Secretary for Industries and Commerce ; Andrew John Park, Esquire, of Wellington, Barrister and Patent Agent; Stuart Wentworth Innes-Ker Peterson, Esquire, of Wellington, Manufacturer ; and John Ralfe Smith, Esquire, of Wellington, Communications Engineer. CONCLUSION The Appendix hereto contains the following tables, lists, &c., viz. : A. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 31st December, 1948. B. Table Showing Receipts and Payments for Each of the Last Ten Years. C. Total Number of Applications for Patents and for Registration of Designs and Trade-marks Recorded for Each of the Last Twenty Years. A. H. Ihle, Commissioner of Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks. The Patent Office, Wellington, 25th May, 1949.

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