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conducted, and may fix the number of infants under the age of
seven years which may be kept in any dwelling; they may cause
the removal of any infant from premises which are overcrowded,
dangerous, or insanitary, or from the custody of any negligent,
ignorant, drunken or criminal person.
Every person guilty of an offence under this part of the Act
is liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or
to a fine not exceeding £25. The provisions of this part of the Act
shall not extend to any relative or legal guardian of an infant
undertaking its nursing and maintenance.
Part II deals with the prevention of cruelty to children and
young persons. Any person over the age of 16 years who has the
care of a child or young person and wilfully illtreats, neglects,
abandons such child or young person so as to be likely to cause
injury to health, shall be liable to imprisonment with or without
hard labour or to a fine. Where the death of an infant under the
age of three years has been caused by suffocation whilst in bed with
a person under the influence of drink such person shall be deemed
to have neglected the infant and be liable to imprisonment or to a
fine. It is an offence under the Act for a person having the care or
custody of a child or young person, to cause or allow such child or
young person to beg in any street or place ; or to allow a child to be
in any room containing an open fire grate not protected against
burning or scalding the child, or to allow children or young persons
to be in brothels, or causing or encouraging or favouring the
seduction of a girl under 16 years of age.
Any child or young person in respect of whom an offence has
been committed under this part of the Act may be taken by an
authorised person to a place of safety, and may by an Order of a
Court be removed from the custody of a person convicted of an
offence, and may make an order on the parent or other person liable
to contribute to its maintenance during a certain period.
Part III is concerned with Juvenile Smoking, and imposes a
penalty for selling cigarettes to children and young persons. It