The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-29
TEACHERS INSTITUTE
SUPERIN TEN0ENT GATLETT HOLDS ONE
FOR COUNTRY TEACHERS,
All But One Were IN Attendance-City
Superintendent Blair Made an Inter-
esting Talk Oh Drawing and Prof.
Catlett a Valuable One on Discipline

Under section 3S of the State school
law county superintendent of public
instruction are required to hold teach
erS' meetings in each township and it is
required by law that teachers shall at
tend. Professor Catlett, superintendent
of public instruction for New hanover
county, intends to carry out the law,
but as Wilmington is more central for
the teachers the meetings will be held
in the city.
Yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock Pro-
fessor Catlett held the first of these
meetings for this scholastic year. It
was for country teachers and all ex-
cept one, Miss Thorne, of the SCOTS
Hill school, were in attendance. Those
present were as follows. Miss Lucy
Smith. of Oak Ridge, Federal Point
township: Miss Jennie Oldham, of Myr-
tie Grove. Masonboro township; Miss
Harnett township; Miss Pattie D.
Thorne, of Wrightsville, Harnett town
snip; Kisses Augusta Virgins and
Reba Myers, Of Delgado. Harnett town.
snip; MIR. J.. p. Herring, OF Masonboro
MasonborO township; MI. S. v. Bowen.
or East Wilmington, Cape Fear town
ship; Mr.. E. G. Herring, of Greenville,
Harnett township; Mr.. J.. G. Murphy,
or Castle Haynes, Cape Fear township;
Mr.. Matthew Bowen, of Acorn Branch,
cape Fea township.
PROFESSOR Catlett called the meeting
10 order and after the roll had been
called he read the school laws as to
teachers meetings and then introduced
Mr.. John j. Blair, superintendent Of
city schools.
MI. Blair made an illustrated talk
on drawing, its value to education and
Its interest to children. 1t is a part Of
the study laid down by the state edu-
catlonal department, and in q most in
teresting and instructive way he spoke
to n teachers OF this branch of their
work. He is a good sketch artist and
with crayon he deftly illustrated his
subject. He drew a number of botani-
cal subjects, including the dandelion,
the tulip, indian turnip, and also spoke
OF and Illustrated a number of flying
seed, the wonderful means provided for
nature to reproduce itself. He also in
structed the teachers in geographical
drawings, rapidly sketching the out
lines of North Carolina n South Am
erica by an Easy plan. He also drew a.
schooner under full sail. a steamer at
sea and a lighthouse, and mentioned
birds and animals as good subjects for
children. 1t not only teaches them the
art of drawing but ~ineffacebly instructs
them while they are doing the work.
superintendent Catlett her made q
most valuable talk on the necessity Of
discipline in the school room, impress
ing the fact that it is not only for the
good of the schools but it's main object
is for the benefit of the children them
selves, in protecting their rights in ac-
quiring knowledge.
Miss NJ. E. Cook, supervising princi-
pal Of city schools, was down on the
programme for a talk on spelling, but
n could not be present. Professor
Catlett therefore discussed that subject
in an interesting manne He also
urged upon the teachers the value of
rural libraries as the best means of
promoting habits Of reading among the
people. He finally impressed upon the
teachers the Importance of having the
children to and beautify the
school grounds, and stated that this
custom had already had it's result in
many homes in the county where the
children had flower gardens and had
improved the yards around their homes.
All the suggestions were made in a
most impressive N
When Professor Catlett concluded he
called on the teachers for reports con-
corning their work. They all reported
increased interest in the schools and in
creased attendance.
The meeting then adjourned.