Spectator 2024

[gullman]

I've come to a grinding halt and would be grateful for any help!
36d Fish almost 250 in number ??NE I know "E" can represent 250 but that doesn't seem to help. Suppose ans is nine, but why?
Need a few more in the bottom right, I've tentatively pencilled in some guesses, but can't find anything to fit 21d & 23a crossing each other.
How are the 9 words anagrams of each other?

[turast]

Isn't there a slang word for £250? MONKEY, PONEY or something like that? For the rest, you'll have to give some clues & letters.

[gullman]

Sorry turast but 21d & 23a are unclued.
34a One's family retreats in battle S???R guess - siler?
40a Brushwood on island R???
37a ... being suited (not weak) for mining T???IN? guessed at t)w)inning?
(previous clue to 37a is slave seen toiling.... (4) Answer is esne

[turast]

I see. My hint wasn't any help at all was it? I thought there might be a fish called a pone, but there isn't. Then I thought, isn't it a bit early to be giving answers for this puzzle? I've just printed it off. Try an anagram of the title.

[Helveticus]

Hi gullman, I sympathise, as I too am stuck on 40a and 36d. Your approach on 34a is correct, but "siler" (what that?) is not the the correct answer.

[Helveticus]

Forgot to mention that it is not the lights themselves, but the words which each suggests which are anagrams of each other.

[Helveticus]

The penny just dropped for 40a. I should have got this sooner, as I speak a bit of German. Now, if I could only get the first letter of 36d...

[Helveticus]

Got it! The definition part of 36d is not "fish" but "number". I tried to find an anagram of the title as turast suggested, but couldn't find anything which made any kind of sense.

[gullman]

I too am alll sorted now - thanks for hints everyone!