H.—lo.

enhance the value of their monopolies by becoming the owners of correlated copyright. There are thus growing up various powerful groups whose interests in patents and copyright are almost inseparably interwoven. These interests, being purely commercial, do not invariably harmonize with the public interest. It is therefore necessary, as occasion arises, for the international conventions relating to patents and copyright, and for the domestic legislation, to ensure that monopolies granted to foster public well-being are not allowed to defeat their own ends by enriching private enterprise unduly at the expense of the State as a whole. Designs. Applications for registration of designs during the year totalled 146, which is 3 in excess of the number of applications for the previous year. The total number of applications as at 31st December, 1934, was 3,593. There were 873 design registrations in force at that date, there being 133 registered during the year, while 137 design registrations became void owing to the non-payment of the renewal fees. In 28 cases renewal of the term of copyright for the second term of five years was effected, and in 23 cases for the third term of five years. Applications from persons resident in New Zealand totalled 68 (92) ; the next greatest number of applications came from Australia, 32 (23) ; 18 (15) were from Great Britain ; 4 (9) from the United States of America ; and 3 (1) from Canada. There were 70 (74) applications in Class 1, while 20 (33) were lodged in Class 3 ; 19 (6) in Class 4 ; 14 (14) in Class 5 ; and 13 (5) in Class 12. The remaining applications were spread over five classes. There were five classes in which no applications were lodged. Trade-makks. The number of applications received during the year under review was 915, being 101 more than in 1933. Applications for registration from persons resident in New Zealand were slightly in excess of those for 1933, being 459 and 453 respectively. The number of applications from the Commonwealth of Australia again showed an increase over the previous year, the figures being 122 in 1934, as against 92 in 1933. There was also an increase in the number of applications received from the United States of America, the number being 62, as compared with 58 in 1933. The amount received during the year in respect of trade-mark fees was again slightly in excess of the amount received during the previous year, the respective amounts being £3,296 15s. 2d. and £3,212 4s. 3d. There was a small decrease in the amount paid in respect of renewal of registration of trade-marks as compared with the previous year, but this decrease was more than offset by the amount paid in fees in respect of applications for registration, which is shown as £89 12s. 6d. more than received in 1933. As is generally the case, the greatest number of applications in any one class was in Class 42 (substances used as food, or as ingredients in food), there being 176, showing an increase of 21 over the number of applications in the same class in 1933. Class 38 (articles of clothing) supplied the next greatest number of applications in any one class, there being 86, as against 78 in 1933. The number of applications in the other principal classes are as follows : Class 3 (chemical substances prepared for use in medicine and pharmacy), 85 (81) ; Class 8 (philosophical instruments, scientific instruments, and apparatus for useful purposes ; instruments and apparatus for teaching), 60 (35) ; Class 48 (perfumery, including toilet articles, preparations for the teeth and hair, and perfumed soap), 58 (45); Class 2 (chemical substances used for agricultural, horticultural, veterinary, and sanitary purposes), 36 (45) ; Class 47 (candles, common soap, detergents ; illuminating, heating, or lubricating oils ; matches ; and starch, blue, and other preparations for laundry purposes), 35 (42). Patent Agents. It is regretted having to report the death of Mr. Robert Wales, who for over twenty-six years was in active practice before the Office. The number of Patent Attorneys on the register as at 31st December, 1934, was 16. Conclusion. The appendix hereto contains the following tables, lists, &c, viz. : — A. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December, 1934. B. Table showing Receipts and Payments for each of the Last Ten Years. C. Particulars of Fees received from Ist January to 31st December, 1934, together with the Corresponding Figures for the years 1932 and 1933. D. Total Number of Applications for Patents and for Registration of Designs and Trademarks recorded for the years 1912 to 1934 (inclusive). E. Number of Provisional and Complete Specifications received, &c. F. Number of Applications for Patents from Persons residing in New Zealand or Dependencies, &c, and in other Countries in.each of the Years 1933 and 1934, together with the Average for the Years 1928-32 (inclusive). G. Number of Applications for Patents for the Different Classes of Inventions in each of the Years 1933 and 1934, together with the Average for the Years 1928-32 (inclusive). H. Total Number of Applications for Patents, Letters Patent sealed, and Letters Patent in force for Full Term under the Different Patents Acts, up to 31st December, 1934 (inclusive). I. Number of Applications for Registration of Designs in each of the Fifteen Classes in each of the Years 1932, 1933, and 1934. J. Number of Applications for Registration of Trade-marks from Persons residing in New Zealand or Dependencies, &c, and in other Countries in each of the Years 1933 and 1934, together with the average for the Years 1928-32 (inclusive). K. Number of Applications to register Trade-marks in the Fifty Different Classes in each of the Years 1933 and 1934, together with the Average for the Years 1928-32 (inclusive). H. T. Atkinson, Commissioner of Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks. The Patent Office, Wellington, sth August, 1935.

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