detention of vagrants in the casual wards was introduced by the Central Authority, under the implicit authority of the Acts of 1842 and 1844.[280] On the other hand, although no person could insist on admission to a workhouse, and the board of guardians could (subject to their obligation to relieve him in some way, if actually destitute) legally turn a pauper out of the workhouse who did not wish to leave, the Central Authority advised that, as "persons who are not really destitute would be unwilling to remain" in any workhouse that was "properly regulated," this legal power ought not to be exercised,[281] except, as above explained, in the case of dependents where the head of the family insisted on taking his own discharge; or except for the purpose of immediately prosecuting the pauper under the Vagrant Acts.[282] [276] _Official Circular_, 16th November 1841, No. 13, pp. 187-8. [277] Answer of 9th June 1842, in _Official Circular_, No. 23, p. 40. [278] Answer of 10th February 1843, in _Official Circular_, 23rd May 1843, No. 25, p. 94. [279] Instructional Letter of 5th February 1842, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, pp. 114-155. [280] 5 & 6 Vic. c. 57, sec. 5, and 7 & 8 Vic. c. 101, sec. 53. _See ante_, p. 14. [281] Answer of 4th January 1844, in _Official Circular_, 31st January 1844, No. 31, p. 187; Instructional Letter of 5th February 1842, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 107. [282] Instructional Letter of 5th February 1842, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 107. (x.) _The Workhouse of the General Consolidated Order of 1847_