This crossword No. 21716 clues and answers were published on Thu 14 Oct 1999 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21716 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
4-across – Starts fiddling with switch on judge’s black box : FLIGHT
6-across – : RECORDER
9-across – Reprimand after dropping a cake in the rubbish : ROCKET
10-across – Sort to get married and miss embracing dairy worker : MILKMAID
11-across – Fat father ruined tin of theatrical make-up : GREASEPAINT
15-across – There’s no way distilled spirit can be a medicine! : NOSTRUM
17-across – Fragrant ring, the same before turning sour : ODOROUS
18-across – Cafe, as in dull colour, soon takes very little money : GREASYSPOON
22-across – Laugh at clear clue I made a mess of : RIDICULE
23-across – An embellishment acceptable in an open court : ATRIUM
24-across – Time to finish making improvements … : AMENDING
25-across – … for nothing great is pointless : GRATIS
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Man declines to come round for bed linen : SHEETS
2-down – Happy with Louis etc, if dancing : FELICITOUS
3-down – Removing coat, cook bird : COCKATOO
4-down – Inventing article to be inserted when searching : FORAGING
5-down – In patient about to be admitted, it’s up : INCREASE
7-down – Expensive letter opener? : DEAR
8-down – Travelled east after staff : RODE
12-down – Attractive French lady admitted striking : PUMMELLING
13-down – Pioneer carelessly lost coin : COLONIST
14-down – Big waves miss aunt when swimming : TSUNAMIS
16-down – Which makes a royal person late? : REGICIDE
19-down – When upset, go to God : SATURN
20-down – District standing a long time : AREA
21-down – Had zealot hidden a timber dresser? : ADZE
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.