might be required without having recourse to exceptional indulgences"--in this case the giving of beer--"which would only, in effect, vitiate the principle of the workhouse being a pauper test."[796] On the other hand, it appears that beer is habitually allowed to the able-bodied inmates of certain workhouses at certain times, in return for work. A number of boards of guardians, having land to cultivate, have been permitted by Special Orders to "make to paupers employed in harvest work on land belonging to the guardians such allowance of food and _fermented liquor_ as may be necessary," without any direction of the medical officer.[797] And when in 1903 an auditor surcharged a workhouse master for beer allowed to certain inmates for work done, it was explained "that if such allowance was withheld, _some of the paupers would leave the workhouse_"--surely a strange threat to make to a Poor Law authority--and with others "difficulties would arise to get them to work." On this explanation the Central Authority (whilst upholding the auditor's decision in point of law) remitted the surcharge.[798] Finally, it may be observed that the shelter of the workhouse was not to be denied to the able-bodied, even for bad conduct. The master must admit all persons who present the proper order, at whatever hour of the day or night. He may not refuse admission even to a man in a state of drunkenness.[799] Nor could a man be punished for being admitted whilst suffering from _delirium tremens_.[800] [792] _Hansard_, 9th May 1902, vol. 107, p. 1276. [793] _Local Government Chronicle_, 21st December 1889, p. 1051. This was with the Chester Board, which refused "to allow the workhouse inmates knives and forks at dinner except on Christmas Day." The Central Authority peremptorily required them to be provided for "all the inmates." [794] Mr. Preston-Thomas's Report, in Thirtieth Annual Report, 1900-1, p. 126. [795] Circular on Workhouse Dietaries, 11th October 1900, in Thirtieth Annual Report, 1900-1, pp. 63-4. [796] Local Government Board to Hackney Union, January 1877, in _Local Government Chronicle_, 13th January 1877, p. 31. [797] Special Order to Wirrall Union, 11th June 1886; Special Order to Drayton Union, 2nd September 1892. On the other hand, in 1901 the Keighley Guardians, for harvest work, were only allowed to give extra "food and drink other than fermented liquor" (Special Order to Keighley Union, 1st August 1901). [798] _Local Government Chronicle_, 7th November 1903, p. 1091. [799] Local Government Board to Hexham Union, April 1902; _Local Government Chronicle_, 19th April 1902, p. 413; _Decisions of the Local Government Board_, 1902-3, by W. A. Casson, 1904, pp. 14, 23. [800] _Local Government Chronicle_, 13th June 1903, p. 577; _Decisions of the Local Government Board_, 1902-3, by W. A. Casson, 1904, p. 162.