CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
Across
1. Soft soap it could be treat for insect to consume (8)
7. Woo those around the monarch (5)
8. Be in contest when full, and get left out (7)
9. Was critical of the way one sought admittance (7)
10. It joins a surveyors’ unit (4)
12. In being led around, the breeze will die away (7)
14. One plotting to make me hers when about a hundred (7)
17. Some ground for taking care of it (4)
18. Floor-show, the sort of act in which one’s naked (7)
21. If caught, leave in reverse holding a penny (7)
22. Self-possession may be a sensitive point (5)
23. Delay of execution ever ripe for sorting out (8)
Down
1. It’s easy to say it’s mentally weak (6)
2. Reprove one on his mad turnabout (8)
3. Come across an upset and it will pour with rain (4)
4. Smelled some free kedgeree on offer (6)
5. Take in a piece of material a schoolboy will enjoy eating (4)
6. Dog set out with a heavy diet (6)
7. Triumphing over a bird in top of gorse (7)
11. Dunk one in liquid and simmer, stirring, on end of stove (7)
13. A follower is policed, but nothing is found missing (8)
14. The moment he goes to the support of a fighter (6)
15. Snake’s tail-rings will irritate one (6)
16. Deputy Lieutenant in deep trouble may deal in drugs (6)
19. In Scotland some water may burst into flames (4)
20. Two of a kind one met in a knock-up (4)
SATURDAY’S SOLUTION
Across: 1. Question 5. Serial 10. Alarm 11. Dormitory 12. Tattier
13. Testier 14. Redeem 16. Revokes 19. Peppers 21. Ostler
25. Repeats 26. Arcadia 28. Virginals 29. Alibi 30. Nearer 31. Stampede Down: 1. Quarters 2. Exalted 3. Tempi 4. Orders 6. Emissions 7. Idolise
8. Layers 9. Brother 15. Emphasise 17. Crystal 18. Treatise
20. Emporia 22. Luddite 23. Craven 24. Basset 27. Claim
Previous solution:
Use the nine letters to make
words, with the same centre letter for both. Each letter (other than the centre) can be used only once.
All puzzles ©
The Puzzle Company. www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz
Across
1. Happening at regular intervals (8)
7. Lessen (5)
8. Unsubstantiated (9)
9. Neither (3)
10. Panache (4)
11. Agreement (6)
13. Awareness (13)
15. Brigand (6)
16. Lip (4)
18. Bind (3)
20. Continues (9)
21. Recovery (5)
22. Outstanding (8)
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
Down
1. Hesitate (5)
2. Hold back (7)
3. Responsibility (4)
4. Illness (13)
5. Indistinct (5)
6. Edicts (7)
7. Unfavourable (7)
12. Frugality (7)
13. Jailers (7)
14. Previously (7)
15. Stomach (5)
17. Contemplated (5)
19. Halt (4)
SATURDAY’S SOLUTION
Across: 1. Reservation 8. Furious 9. Pagan 10. Glee 11. Reshape
12. Sob 13. Jest 15. Nude 17. Bog 19. Outside 20. Fate 23. Ennui
24. Inexact 25. Temperament
Down: 1. Refuge 2. Serve 3. Riot 4. Absorb 5. Imposing 6. Niggard
7. Canned 12. Stoicism 14. Extinct 16. Govern 17. Beside 18. Sextet
21. Aware 22. Beta