Giant Crossword

Across

8 Is it quite a distance from the tee? (7) 9 Adult lost gull you disapprove of caging (4-5) 13 Posts not for ladies, we’re told (5) 14 The article about prison is returned as ‘incompetent’ (5) 15 ‘Wind, haze and rain,’ the man added (7) 16 Keeping some of the wine for tomorrow? Excellent! (7) 17 Deputised for? That is material (5) 18 Gets the screw in position (5) 20 Unfortunately, the lady slipped on the snow (5) 22 The appointment is cancelled and I go to church (6) 23 With the hat, he goes one better than the others (6) 25 Proscribed because one asked to (7) 27 Does it like milk in the water? (7) 30 Made ale to mull, you say (6) 31 He’s back in the lead, on the outside (6) 32 In ‘Siam,’ played the daughter of the King (5) 35 For a small tip, break your silence (5) 36 A title does carry weight (5) 37 He likes the more ornate (7) 39 Having done wrong, the gunrunner is in prison (7) 41 The bird - the female, tailless one (5) 42 Darned slugs! (5) 43 Give Pete a frenzied call about, spreading the gossip (9) 44 Back ‘Contretemps’ (7)

Down

1 Weapon found where the soldiers disembarked? (6) 2 How the unfriendly Jack looked at you? (8) 3 Being able to express, when arguing (6,5) 4 Hang on! It’s nothing that sheep-dip won’t get rid of! (4,1,4) 5 Money from the oil-man to the young exwife? (7) 6 Fed up when the ring turned out not to be gold? (7,3) 7 We turned back again to see the vessel (4) 10 Savours the kisses (6) 11 Dismounts and puts in the letter box (4,3) 12 He finishes harder on the heels of (6) 19 Took it easy while you sit in the shade (7) 21 See the cod I see, swimming (7) 24 Carping individual who told you where the next quake would be? (5-6) 26 With luck going equally to both sides, neither wins nor loses (6,4) 28 A cup, intricately carved, features monks (9) 29 It flies sharp north (7) 30 Next day the bee is buzzing about (6) 32 I am received into the church by the clergyman (8) 33 Make it clear there’s tension (6) 34 It’s poison and an expert on it is brought in (7) 38 As a precaution for the patient who’s been admitted (2,4) 40 Want to insert the point in the wrong end (4)