CCCWC January competition voters’ comments on Clue no. 16

A clue to DISTAFF.
7 comments refer to this clue (from 7 competitors, 0 others)

Here is the text

Comments on the clue

1.	Cutting the pole and then adding that back to try and force an &lit seems a bit contrived
2.	Needs to be "holding" for the &lit, and clueing part of the word (STAFF) separately doesn't really work.
3.	Nice try at an & lit., but surface rather forced
4.	Lovely clue except that 'holds' needs to be 'holding' to make the whole a nounal definition.
5.	Nice try at &lit.
6.	'Essentially' and 'at first' are both obvious indicators to be avoided if possible. Two in the same clue? Two too many!
7.	Novel wordplay and well-disguised clue producing &lit.