Setting the River on Fire.
"Setting the Thames on fire" is an oft heard saying, but probably few people know its origin, concerning which the following explanation has been givon: In the
time of our forefathers corn was ground
in a rough instrument called a "temso." "This was merely a stone hollowed out to receive the corn, with a piece of wood pasEod through it, which, being rapidly turned, ground tho corn to flour. If the wooden handle was turned with sufficient force, tho friction of the wood against the ' stone would cause the stick to catch fire, but us it required considerable energy to produce this effect the person who could accomplish it was thought smart, and he who could "set tho temso on fire" was pretty euro to be a good worker in other ways. After a time the "temee" was superseded by better machinery.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH18980222.2.21.3
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Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1898, Page 4
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147Setting the River on Fire. Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1898, Page 4
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