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68
At the meeting of the Council on 22nd October, the Chairman of the Committee moved, and it
was unanimously resolved, that" the report be received and the recommendations contained
therein be adopted."
The "resolution of adoption" was forwarded to the Local Government Board, 24th October,
and the Board's consent was received, 25th November, the date fixed for the coming into operation
of the Act being the 1st day of January, 1908.
The Act was made generally known by posters setting out its provisions being affixed to
the notice-boards of all churches and other places of worship within the borough, and by advertisement
in local newspapers.
Under date 27th December a letter was addressed by the Town Clerk to medical practitioners
and midwives known to be practising in Kensington, as follows:—
Notification of Births Act, 1907.— Dear Sir or Madam,—I beg to inform you that the Local
Government Board have consented to the adoption of the Notification of Births Act, 1907, within
the Royal Borough of Kensington, and have appointed 1st January, 1908, as the date on which
the Council's resolution of adoption of the Act shall come into operation.
" The Act requires that the Council, as Local Authority, shall bring the provisions of the Act
to the attention of all Medical Practitioners and Midwives practising in their area.
" These provisions may be briefly summarised as follows:—
The duty of notifying a birth to the Medical Officer of Health devolves, in the first place, upon the father
of the child, and if he be non-resident in the house at the time of the occurrence of the birth, then upon any
person in attendance upon the mother at the time of, or within six hours after, the birth. The notice must
be given by posting a prepaid letter or postcard within tbirty-six hours after the birth, or by delivering a
written notice of the birth at the office or residence of the Medical Officer within the same time. The local
authority are required to supply without charge addressed and stamped postcards, containing the form of
notice, to any medical practitioner or midwife, residing or practising in their area, who applies for the same.
The notification is in addition to, and not in substitution for, the requirements of any Act relating to the
registration of births, and it applies to any child born " after the expiration of the twenty-eighth week of
pregnancy, whether alive or dead." Liability to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings is incurred by any
person who fails to give notice of a birth.
" The Council will, upon application, supply you with addressed and stamped postcards for
the purpose of notification—as per pattern enclosed herewith.
"Will you please inform the Medical Officer of Health, whose office is at the Town Hall,
Kensington, what number of cards you require at the present time, and renew the application for a
further supply of cards, from time to time, as may be necessary.
" I have only to add that the Council will be obliged if you will kindly make known the provisions
of the Act to anyone whom it may concern."
It was thought desirable to use a letter-card for the purpose of notification, the form adopted
being as follows:—
THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON.
Notification of Births Act, 1907.
No.
I hereby give you notice of the birth of a live (or stillborn) child* at
(Address)
Surname of Child
Sex Date of Birth
Father's occupation
Name of person giving the Notice
[Please state whether:—Father or Doctor
or Midwife or other Person ]
Address
Date of Notice
•This notice applies to any child born " after the expiration of the 28th week of pregnancy,
whether alive or dead."