Three of a Kind III by Regson


Unclued entries are “Three of a Kind”. The fourth member of this set must be written below the grid. In clue order, the single extra letters yielded by the wordplay in 25 clues provide useful information. Numbers in brackets indicate entry lengths.
Across

1    See preamble (6)
5    Band in perfect condition for drummer (5)
9    A big lie could be a sin (5)
10    Large bird’s caught on way back (6)
11    Bird that is fish (5)
13    Neck measure for fish lacking energy for example (4)
14    Fashionable short Caribbean cake container (4)
16    Turn off a cacophony of endless sounds (4)
18    Hydrated mineral obtained by North African – but not before noon (7)
20    Biblical twin’s energy and highland spirit (4)
22    Reportedly eschew old bloodsucker (4)
24    Go away and recall the Spanish name (7)
26    Close the ranks of senior Republicans (4)
29    Uncanny Scot’s guard (4)
31    Son of Big Bird’s a coward (4)
32    Boats for Japanese fish (5)
33    I act in a roundabout fashion, taken by one type of camera (6)
34    Circle area with toxic gas (5)
35    I am in a short brook – it’s a sin (5)
36    See preamble (6)		 Down

1    Male sailor at Quebec place of worship (6)
2    Faculty supports bird leaving high school in anger (7)
3    Lousy product for the Spanish uprising (4)
4    Queen cooked young candied root (6)
5    Backward mountain neighbor’s machine (5)
6    Irish island in China (4)
7    A foolish person’s game with tile (4)
8    Our Scottish violin once was a weapon (5)
12    See preamble (7)
15    Polish soldiers (4)
17    Who maybe consumed fruit? (4)
19    Rock formation – one of round eastern rocks (7)
21    A garland of shells, feathers, flowers, and grass for a bird (6)
23    A misty serein on high (6)
24    Rudimentary language (5)
25    Encircle the northern West Indies with capsizing ships (5)
27    Try Scandinavian bread sweetener (4)
28    New Mexico pursuing runner for tax evasion (4)
30    Seek the support of Democratic idol (4)
To enter this competition, send your entry as an image or in list format, with an explanation of the finale, to quiz.man@ntlworld.com before the 8th September 2014. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range which has been donated by Chambers.