CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Largely cancel number proving sadly a burden (11)

9 Label found in centre of good New Zealand region (5)

10 A rift on site developed in a location for an emergency? (4,7)

11 A speech defect in full is preventable (4)

14 Article on Middle East as a topic (5)

16 Procedure right for disclosure in front of everyone (7)

17 First person with US author in disorganised group (5)

18 Left confused about characteristic of politicians escaping blame? (6)

19 Unofficial border (6)

22 Start to grasp wild rose and prickly shrub (5)

23 Playwright providing a large hook before end of plot (7)

24 Meandering tour around river in English city (5)

25 Nothing beginning to emerge in long river (4)

26 What an adaptable person shows if still by exit nervously overlooking street (11)

29 Woman performing by island in

South Africa (5)

30 Support hardens surprisingly for unrecorded payments? (4-7)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION:

Across: 1 Champagnes 6 Chat 9 Baby otters 10 Odds 12 Shot in the arm 15 Ideal garb 17 Wages 18 Harem 19 Layer cake 20 Cosmopolitan 24,25 Used beforehand 26 Site 27 Aspersions

DOWN

1 Mischievous type is partly selfish (3)

2 Character dropping daughter in vehicle (3)

3 French painter around second SA capital showing meshed curtain (8,3)

4 Australian cuts list of duties in very hot day? (7)

5 Green attitude shown by excellent doctor in the north east (7)

6 Individual cycling for a very long period (3)

7 Democrat in valid end when reviewed is Scottish politician (5,6)

8 Expressions of praise, we hear, for accessories (11)

12 Leading character for short time with a number turning up in point (11)

13 Runner mostly filmed exercising in Scottish town (11)

15 Cabinet with room to be sorted out for lotion (11)

20 Couple excited about new French composer (7)

21 Get rid of a book on European language missing introduction (7)

26 Excellent fellow associated with a bishop (3)

27 Reserve something to put in a drink (3)

28 Positive response seen in Orkney essentially (3)

BENBECULA

Down: 1 Cubs 2 Abbe 3 Prothalamion 4,21 Got it in one 5 Errand boy 7 Hydrangeas 8 Taskmaster 11 Shower panels 13 Nightclubs 14 Retrospect 16 All comers 22 Iago 23 Adds