SUPERQUICK CROSSWORD 1031

Entries must reach Contest Editor SuperQuick 1031, Top of the Times PO Box 11, Cape Town 8000 or e-mail tott@inl.co.za by midday on Wednesday. The first correct entry drawn wins R100, the next three R50 each. Winners are announced next week.

NOTE: Please include your postal address and contact number with your entry.

ACROSS SCRATCH PATCH

3 Thought to have been regarded as (10)

8 The ether’s put her out (6)

9 Afraid it will take a day (4)

10 It’s light for breakfast (7,3)

11 Sound depressed (3)

13 Set about one youth (4)

14 Run, with buckling legs, carrying the fool (7)

15 Describe as “the big attraction” (4)

17 Start, for instance, filling the container (5)

20 Less punctual? Not yet (5)

22 Is irritating, or becomes so (4)

24 Doles out, to a number, food (7)

25 Is “nil desperandum” her motto? (4)

27 It’s a question of technique (3)

28 “No, No, A Thousand Times No” sung off key? (4,6) 29 The plan is one, dear, that proved inconclusive (4) 30 Silas is out East with her (6)

31 Meant to think it over (10)

DOWN

1 In general, the wandering nomad is given refreshment (8) 2 Doesn’t go off and get drunk (6)

3 The many besieged were clearly frightened (7) 4 There’s pandemonium when one gets into one’s dance (5) 5 He has a number on his vehicle (4)

6 Misled and no mistake about the stopper (3,5)

7 Haggard, are about to approach (4,4)

12 Influence the Yank (4)

14 Pulls up to study (4)

16 They’re worn only by the very poor kids (4)

17 The rotten one he put inside, the twit! (8)

18 It’s the established custom: that’s incontestable (8) 19 Raised in a German lake or river (4)

21 Stressed it’s time the chap got weaving (8)

23 Wrap up and go off to quarters (7)

25 Straight home, having dropped me home (6)

26 Dance with a half-bald man before that (5)

28 Get on the food (4)

SOLUTIONS TO 1030:

Across: 1 Panama. 5 Loaded. 8 Piece. 9 In case. 10 Almost. 11 Rapid. 14 Stiletto. 16 Reader. 18 Money for old rope. 20 Spared. 22 Honestly. 25 Larch. 27 Twinge. 28 Affirm. 29 Thorn. 30 Relate. 31 Dragon.

Down: 1 Points. 2 Nick. 3 Aperitif. 4 Keep your shirt on. 5 Leader. 6 Drop. 7 Dither. 12 Allegro. 13 Fairish. 15 Troop. 17 Expel. 19 Longhand. 20 Setter. 21 Delete. 23 Yes-man. 24 Will. 26 Ring.