Setting: the River on Fire.
''Setting the Tharuos 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 stono hollowed out to receive tho corn, with a piece of wood passed through it, which, beiug rapidly turned, ground tho corn to flour. If the wooden handle was turned with suflicient force, tho friction of the wood against the stono would cause tho stick to catch fire, but as it required considerable energy to produce this effect the person who could uccomplish it was thought smart, and ha who could "set tho tcniso on fire" was prctfy sure to be a good worker in other ■ways. After a time tho "temse" waa superseded by bettor machinery.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19000217.2.3.3
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Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1900, Page 2
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147Setting: the River on Fire. Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1900, Page 2
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