H.—lo.

The following table shows the percentage of patents granted to complete applications lodged in certain countries: — Per Cent. New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 79"7 Great Britain ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 93"5 Canada ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 922 United States of America ... ... ... ... ... ... 60"4 Austria ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 607 Germany ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 32"4 Norway ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 93"6 Designs. The number of applications for registration of designs fell from 54 in 1905 to 36 in 1906, the number received in 1904 being 24. Fourteen applications were registered in Class 1 (articles composed wholly or partly of metal not included in Class 2), J in Class 2 (jewellery), 3 in Class 3 (articles composed wholly or partly of wood, bone, ivory, papier mache, or other solid substances not included in other classes), 5 in Class 5 (articles composed wholly or partly of paper except hangings), 1 in Class 6 (articles composed wholly or partly of leather, including bookbinding of all materials), 11 in Class 10 (millinery and wearing-apparel, including boots and shoes), 1 in Class 12 (goods not included in other classes). This form of registration, though availed of very largely in other countries, is not yet utilised to any extent in the colony, the number of registrations to the population being only 1 in 26,180, while in the United Kingdom it is 1 in 1,800. Trade Makks. The number of applications received for registration of trade marks amounted to 702 in 1906, as compared with 607 in 1905, an increase of 95, and 515 marks were placed on the register, an increase of 41 on the number for 1905. The sum received from trade marks was £954 195., an increase of £143 4s. on the amount received for the previous year. Notices of opposition were lodged in 13 cases. Goods for which Trade Marks registered. The number of applications received in the various classes is shown in Table K. As usual, the number of applications for food-substances, 138, is considerably in-excess of the number for any other goods, though this number shows a falling-off as compared with the numbers for the two previous years —171 in 1905, 164 in 1904. The other principal classes showing an increase are: Class 3 (medicines), 50 in 1906 and 45 in 1905; Class 6 (machinery), 17 in 1906 and 6 in 1905; Class 7 (agricultural and horticultural machinery), 13 in 1906 and 1 in 1905; Class 8 philosophical and scientific apparatus), 7 in 1906 and 1 in 1905; Class 39 (paper), 27 in 1906 and 14 in 1905; Class 45 (tobacco), 39 in 1906 and 26 in 1905; Class 47 (candles, soap, &c), 58 in 1906 and 45 in 1905; Class 48 (perfumery), 46 in 1906 and 40 in 1905; Class 50 (miscellaneous), 63 in 1906 and 30 in 1905. A falling-off is shown in Class 22 (vehicles), from 19 to 12, and in Class 43 (fermented liquors and spirits), from 30 to 17. Countries from which Applications received. In 1906, 332 applications came from residents of the colony, an increase of 48 on the number received in 1905. The United Kingdom sent 171 applications, as compared with 156 in the previous year; and the United States of America 70 in 1906, as compared with 41 in 1905. Eightysix applications were received from the Commonwealth (an increase of 19 on the total for 1905), and of this number New South Wales sent 73, Victoria 10, and South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania 1 each. Similar classified lists to those suggested with regard to patents might with advantage be issued concerning trade marks. GENERAL. Library. During the year the specifications of the United States of America for the first half of the year 1905 were placed in the library. The illustrated abridgments of English specifications and drawings for the period from 1900 to 1904 have now been completed, and are available for reference. These abridgments are found to be exceedingly useful, as they enable the inventions patented over a considerable number of years to be readily ascertained in a very short time. The Commonwealth office prints all complete specifications and drawings in full, and kindly furnishes this office with copies free of cost. Illustrated abridgments of inventions are also printed in its weekly journal, which is not only supplied free to this office, but to all local patent offices throughout the colony, where it is filed for the inspection of the public.

IV