DT Vintage 16

Daily Telegraph Vintage No 16
Hints and Tips by Rossophile

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BD Rating – Difficulty */**  Enjoyment ***

Enduring another “heatwave” for 3-4 days, or so we are told by the media.  Yesterday was 28 degrees with some rain, and my water butts are full.  Pervious called an English summer. Another straightforward puzzle from the Sixties, some learned and geographical clues. A few explanations of that time alone, that are open to interpretation.

This is a PDF with pictures, but with the answers blanked out. I’m trying to find a “reveal” option, with no luck

https://www.macdonnell.co.uk/DT/V16.pdf

Across

1a He must have seized the little captain first, or later (6)

CAPTOR: the first four letters of Captain (small), followed by OR from the clue

4a So tardily entering I’d been set apart (8)

ISOLATED: A description of being well overdue s* l*** inserted into I******D

9a Where Pilsudski was returned after 1914-18 (6)

WARSAW: The event in 1914-18, followed by an anagram of ‘was”. Pilsudski was Poland’s Chief of state from 1918-1922

10a Infectious achievement of 1 across (8)

CATCHING: A double definition. Some diseases spread by droplets or contact I said to be C****ING; this is what the person in 1a is good at.

12a That which is taken by only the most advanced person (4)

LEAD: A group will follow the L*** of the person in front

13a They are a danger to divers as well as drivers (5)

BEND: A double definition homograph. Divers fear these decompression signs, and drivers slow down approaching them

14a Doctor joining a ship appears quite green (4)

MOSS: (M)education (O)ffice followed by ship (SS). Something for your green wall, perhaps

17a Before the mail, sure to return about nothing? That’s absurd (12)

PREPOSTEROUS: A Lego ™ construction. Before (pre) the mail (post) followed by anagram of “sure to”

20a The Service branch which must have some reason for existence (12)

INTELLIGENCE: A Government or other organisation such as the CIA, on MI5. Or a philosophical view of why we exist.

23a It may be bitterly or quite mildly taken (4)

BEER: A description of two forms of an alcoholic beverage, sometimes mixed together.

24a The rogue I must follow if the little lobster is to be found (5)

SCAMPI: A five letter word for an unruly youngster, followed by the “I” in the clue

 

25a Count and recount (4)

TELL: a double definition. A description of counting money, and the same word describing the telling of a story. Also an archer’s name.

28a The 1840-42 conflict that ended many a pipe-dream? (5,3)

OPIUM WAR: a dispute between the British and Chinese centre on Hong Kong. This product of poppies was the main source of a narcotic used in laudunum, morphine and heroin.

29a The hut no char tidied up (6)

RANCHO: Anagram of “no char” tidied up) mostly referring to cowboys or their cattle

30a Money tip to take account of (4,4)

BANK NOTE: Second word is synonym of account, as in “take **** of”. The whole clue may be given as a (generous) tip

31a Soothing for the bait (6)

GENTLE: Synonym of soothing. “Mercy falls like the G****E rain from heaven” Bait is something which is bitten, or alluring

Down

1d Flowery they are, but they issue low utterances (8)

COWSLIPS: A word formed of two others. Animals that low (or moo), and parts of the face and mouth that produce utterances

2d He gets a share by accepting it at face value? (8)

PARTAKER: This person participates ,or takes **** (share) . Accepting at face value?

3d Country that appears singularly representative of 26 down (4)

OMAN: middle eastern country, also the singular of the masculine characters in 26 down

5d Maybe it has received light approval from the B.S.I. (8-4)

STANDARD LAMP: BSI, the British Standards Institution, develops and publishes safety standards for various industries and activities. These standards aim to promote safety, health, and well-being in the workplace and beyond, providing a framework for best practices and risk mitigation.Street lighting is part of their remit.

6d Fine material made by tatters (4)

LACE: A tatter is a shred of torn cloth. These could be used to construct fine material that is the answer.

7d Would he suit the head also? (6)

TAILOR: A person who makes a suit, and sometimes hats. Possibly someone “a head(master)” suited to a leadership role

8d A summary one is expected to stomach? (6)

DIGEST: a double definition. A synonym of a summary, and something you would expect the stomach to do with food

11d “Hah! Wet-tracer”! (anag.) (Yes, indeed!) (7-5)

WEATHER-CHART: something people from that decade may have said when presented with this diagram

15d Good for the French with New York lying over the ocean (5)

BONNY: The French for good followed by abbreviation for New York. Refers to a well-known song

16d Soft-headed inclination to clear out of the party (5)

PURGE: A word constructed from the abbreviation for soft in music, followed by the synonym of an inclination or desire. Reference to political parties who remove their leaders

18d Yet certainly not what restaurateurs sell more cheaply, whether or not it is … (8)

UNDERCUT: Two meanings, same spelling. A *** of meat, or the action of going under a fixed mprice

19d … commendation that is voiced (4,4)

WELL DONE: A spoken (voiced) congratulation, of the way 18d may be cooked

21d Sailor’s eye is needed to take things in (6)

ABSORB: Reference to (A)ble (Bodied) seamen, followed by the shape of the eye

22d Middle of old Hamadan empire (6)

OMAN: Now a city in western Iran

26d A sign that appeals to masculine types (4)

OMEN: O(h) the males

27d Hollow warning of approaching danger (4)

CAVE: A rocky recess, also an approaching (c) danger (latin for Hail as in Ave Maria)