The Maintenance of Deserted Wives and Children 1873 with the full title “An Act to make provision for the Maintenance and Support of deserted Wives and Children” (Act no.37 Vict. No.14) underwent two significant amendments. One in 1898 and another in 1907 before being repealed in January 1920 and replaced with The Maintenance Act 1919 (Act no.10 Geo. V No.62).