Sunday Times 4384

[frameshift]

Last couple.
16a Roofless dwelling by river (4) - U - E
29a One who decides about new freeway? (7) R - F - - - E Why would it be REFEREE?
If it is REFEREE, 24d In a state secret? (5) I - N - R, could only be INNER, but why?
Thanks for help as usual.

[tyrepill]

16a (h)Ouse

[frameshift]

Thanks Tyrepill, I should have seen that one.

[kayakamina]

24d Inner - secret...sounds like in a

[Zabadak]

16a OUSE: (h)ouse) loses its roof

INNER is a "sounds like". If you state (say) "In a" it sounds like INNER, secret,

I think REFEREE is RE (about) FERE (free anag) E(ast)= way, direction. Don't like it much as a clue>

[frameshift]

Thanks everybody. I was working on the same lines for REFEREE, but it's a pretty weak clue, isn't it?

[kalahari12]

I would agree with the quality of that clue! In a world where much is dumbed down these crosswords are my last refuge so let us hope this is one of those rare occasions.

[frameshift]

I sympathise, kalahari. Look at 18d as well. Keep finding alien in the showers. Answer RETAINS. Clue should have been Keeps finding alien in the showers. Forty five years ago I never ever saw mistakes in the clues, but now they are commonplace, wrong tense, wrong plural, singular..... When I first started at Grammar School we were told to read the Times as this was the best example of perfect use of English grammar. What a joke that would be today.