AZED CROSSWORD 607

CARNEY

1.  T. J. Moorey: Jenkins, unfulfilled minister longing to make comeback (car(e) + yen (rev.); see Jenkins in C.; ref. Roy J.).

2.  D. F. Manley: ‘Crowther’s No. 1 composer, successor to X’? (This & lit. could be devious certainly!) (C + Arne + Y, comp. anag., & lit.; ref. Thomas A., Azed).

3.  N. C. Dexter: Sirens do so entice any crew at sea without women! (anag. less W, & lit.).

VHC

T. H. Ayre: Timeless customs permit a bit of yoghurt for flummery (carne(t) + y).

Mrs A. R. Bradford: Blokes with this might follow Spooner’s advice to Irish suitors (i.e. coax with blarney, & lit.).

P. Cargill: With this I still may deceive in all sincerity (comp. anag. & lit.).

P. Drummond: Sly composer replaces one of his works in transcription (copy with Arne for op; Thomas A.).

Dr I. S. Fletcher: Transport and pet without moderation, perhaps (car + (ho)ney, & lit.).

J. J. Goulstone: Wafting semi-transparency can give a flattering effect (anag. of (transp)arency).

P. F. Henderson: 75% of any cream is churned to make the local butter (anag. of any cre(am)).

R. J. Hooper: Soap opera girl has contrary craving for men (Carmen with yen (rev.) for men).

M. D. James: Sly – tinker with yearn after drop of cheer (c + anag.; ref. Taming of the Shrew).

F. P. N. Lake: Shocking Chase yarn has given Miss Blandish to gratify the susceptible (anag. less has; ref. James Hadley C., ‘No Orchids for Miss B.’).

C. G. Millin: Compliments, first of Christmas, then happy new year (C + anag. incl. n).

C. J. Morse: Rustic humour, as displayed in American Art (2 mngs.; ref. Art C., US entertainer).

B. A. Pike: Most of neck smudged with gray, headed for soap and flannel (anag. of nec(k) (g)ray).

W. J. M. Scotland: In the country, coax one for love in corn! (The traditional retreats) (corn with a for 0 + ye (rev.)).

D. Stanford: Hint of Christmas and New Year, rum butter (C + anag. incl. N).

D. G. Tallis: What’s crafty one styled oft in parts outlying (comp. anag. & lit.).

M. Woolf: The cold and the shivering yearn for flannel (C + anag.).

HC

R. Abrey, C. Allen Baker, D. W. Arthur, D. Ashcroft, M. J. Balfour, M. Barley, R. E. Boot, R. S. Caffyn, D. Clark, M. Coates, Mrs M. P. Craine, O. H. Frazer, G. Gargan, N. C. Goddard, S. Goldie, J. Grainge, D. A. Grassland, A. G. Greig, A. O. Harries, V. G. Henderson, G. B. Higgins, J. P. H. Hirst, W. Jackson, A. H. Jones, N. Kemmer, R. E. Kimmons, J. H. C. Leach, M. A. Macdonald-Cooper, Rev W. P. Manahan, H. W. Massingham, L. May, A. McIntyre, W. L. Miron, R. A. Mostyn, F. R. Palmer, S. L. Paton, M. Postlethwaite, Miss I. M. Raab, D. R. Robinson, J. H. Russell, T. E. Sanders, A. Scott, W. K. M. Slimmings, J. B. Sweeting, D. H. Tompsett, I. Torbe, Mrs B. J. Widger, D. O. Williams, G. T. Wilson, Dr E. Young.
 

COMMENTS
About 280 entries, very few mistakes. Was the puzzle that much more difficult than usual? A few of you commented on its toughness but looking again at the clues I can’t find any that were unfairly fiendish. The reference to Rosy Lea in the DUKKERIPEN clue was perhaps a little tortuous (cockney rhyming slang and echoes of gypsy fortunetellers) but it involved a straightforward anagram to solve. And I was a bit surprised that so many seemed not to have heard of Sinclair Lewis’s novel Elmer Gantry (powerfully portrayed on the silver screen by Burt Lancaster, as I recall). Perhaps it was just that the pre-Christmas rush left many no time for competing. The much-delayed announcement of the results in the paper was the result of a breakdown of the system whereby entries find their way to me for judging, leaving me with insufficient time to get the judging done, followed by the decision not to produce an issue on New Year’s Day (and the consequent need to reschedule the 1 January competition puzzle), a chapter of accidents.
 
I haven’t much to say about CARNEY except that dues submitted were on the whole rather uninspired. What created the biggest dilemma for me was Mr Manley’s brilliant clue above. Especially after my recent remark about sycophancy it is really very clever and 1 had it mentally reserved for the No. 1 prize. What made me hesitate and eventually move it down a notch was the thought that his knowledge of my real surname might be regarded as something of an unfair advantage and that to a solver without that knowledge the clue would appear pretty meaningless. At the same time I did not feel that I could disqualify such a superior clue on these grounds. I hope all concerned will appreciate my quandary and approve my decision.
 
In conclusion I’d like to thank all of you who sent cards or messages of goodwill for Christmas. I and my wife return the compliments of the season and send all good wishes for 1984 with the reminder that ‘Azed is watching you’!