The Times - Cryptic - This puzzle, from 1977, takes the place of 26,445, which is the third qualifying puzzle for The Times Crossword Championship 2016. 26,445 is available in printable pdf format in the Club News section - June 22, 2016

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Clues Answers
A disparaging word for poor Private Joe PEJORATIVE
A French strait that is not reliable UNSOUND
All stay in metaphysics? Not I! NONEGO
An outside chance this came from Tom's gun? LONGSHOT
As ink-maker the girl is in the money TANNIN
Castle very hard outside — clear inside needs repair HARLECH
Chapter One follows Greek account of the Roman brothers GRACCHI
Does this building on site need a skeleton staff? FRAMEHOUSE
Flower girls we hear this way POLYANTHUS
For the seer nothing detailed can come of this crystal RHINESTONE
Girl told to eat up? ENID
Hope to include Thomas Stearns? Right bloomer that is! HELIOTROPE
Innkeeper could involve 4 with lots of work HOTELIER
It's frightful, but could be made more safe FEARSOME
Clues Answers
Last thing to bring up! REAR
Look at the fellow! PEER
Many whips active for the Opposition? CLASHING
My Hawk senior's the very devil! OLDHARRY
Old crock of a sort of snake catcher RATTLETRAP
Orange sort of duck? MANDARIN
Pickwickian enters the back way, gives star performance TWINKLES
Preacher-poet loses two points to man in an old suit JOHNDOE
Raise sort of Blue Peter — a new way to vex us EXASPERATE
Send another message to improve current relations? REWIRE
Shady US district joint TENDERLOIN
Strange rite — cull produce of the earth TELLURIC
This steak is capital VIENNA
Where sporting practice brings an automatic return NETS