Competition Crossword COXSWAIN ARTHUR LiDDON of Dover, who has compiled this crossword puzzle, is kindly giving as a prize for the first correct solution to be opened a colour enlargement of Dover's 44' Waveney lifeboat Faithful Forester entering harbour in rough seas. The picture is autographed by all members of crew. Entries, with name and address written in capital letters, should be sent to THE LIFEBOAT, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ by Monday, February 28. Please mark envelopes 'Crossword'.

Across 1 Where Ann sailed in Japan (6, 3) 6 The result of a large number of losing bets ? (5) 9 You may be uncertain but do you have the answer ? (5) 10 Would they mainly be found entering tide-races? (9) 11 Assign to an old penman (7) 12 Denounce with understandable force (7) 14 Kipling's flannelled fools (10) 16 Former Russian police go up here in confusion (4) 19 Othello's ancient comes in as Portia goes out (4) 20 Lifeboatman's ally drags out a hundred (10) 24 It can be dangerous to expel a member (7) 26 Worker and girl going back together for reception (7) 27 Way of falling upon events we hear (9) 28 A testing time for any lifeboat (5) 29 Billy's nursery friend ? (5) 30 Two ships and a prickly type for the valuers (9) Down 1 A brave leader—and so was Coxswain Fish when he went to her rescue (6, 5) 2 A gin with lunch could be the start of a hectic night out (9) 3 This could be the outcome of an inexpert solo attempt (2, 6) 4 Distrust a group who surround us softly (7) 5 Dear Pat shows how to fit a square peg into a round hole (7) 6 Old copper with villain in tow has quite an arresting influence (6) 7 Founded as in place of retirement (5) 8 Initially 23 (1, 1, 1) 13 No reason to think that one would not get square meals from them (5, 6) 15 The length of time we are returning (3) 17 It may be used for storing food or sailing around (5, 4) 18 Stirs up scattering stones about it (8) 21 Pedro's mundane outlook is partly responsible for the bloomer (7) 22 They support lifeboat crews when things get rough (3, 4) 23 A time for celebrating—or just the opposite ? (6) 25 An aid to navigation at sea but not on car (5) 27 You may need local knowledge to find any particular one! (3) NAME AND ADDRESS 247.