The 202nd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F&AM, was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 1st day of May, 1974.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient font at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Alvarez, WM, in the East, Bro. Hodges, Senior Warden, in the West, and Bro. LaSalle, Junior Warden, in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren and first-time visitors as listed in the Tiler's register of this date.
The first order of business was the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
Next order of business was the Treasurer's Report and it was moved by Bro. Hodges and seconded by Bro. LaSalle that the Report as presented by Bro. Watson be approved as read subject to the usual audit. Motion carried.
The Secretary then read the bills for the month of April, and. Bro. Hodges moved , Bro. Dunning seconded that the bills be paid. Motion carried.
Next, was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: Bro. Hodges reported that a meeting was scheduled for May 6th, and further discussion to be held on acquiring the Temple and property.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. LaSalle reminded the Brethren of the Grand Master Chinese Dinner to be held on May 18th and that tickeas were available at ¥2,000.00.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Hodges reported that next issue of FT's would be ready on the 13th of May.
COACHING: Bro. Dunning reported that Bro. Patterson would be ready for Second Degree proficiency and raising next week and Bro. Lambert the following week.
SICK AND VISITATION: W Bro. Alvarez reported that Bra. Anderson was in Yokosuka Hospital and encouraged the Brethren to visit.
BALLOTING: Balloting upon the petition of the following named candidate was had and he was elected:
Mr. ALABACK Richard James
PETITIONS READ: Petitions to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge were read as follows:
Mr. TAYLOR, Wayne Loren
Mr. DEH-LEE, William (NMI)
Mr. REYNA, Edward Medrano
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: Bro. Hodges reported that the Masonic House Committee had authorized Bro. Reifenstein to expend his own money in renovating the living quarters of the caretaker, with the understanding that the House Committee would repay it. Not later than July 31, 1974. Bro. Hodges then requested that the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 extend a loan of approximately 367,000.00 Yen which represents one third of the total amount to be repaid to Bro. Reifenstein, to the House Committee. And that the Treasurer be authorized to issue the check in the above amount if required by that date. Bro. Havens so moved and it was seconded by Bro. LaSalle. The motion carried.
W Bro. Alvarez announced that next week would be a Third Degree for Bro. Patterson, and that Mr. Alaback would be initiated on the 15th of May. Also that instructions pertaining to holding a Lodge of Sorrow would be had in the near future, possibly on the 24th of June.
MW Bro. Robertson then requested the gavel, and after receiving it announced that he would entertain a motion that the Lodge approve ordering a Past Master's Jewel and Apron with case for W Bro. Alvarez. W Bro. Williams so moved and it was seconded by Bro. Hodges. The motion carried.
The WM requested Bro. Grant N. Lambert to place himself West of the Altar after which he presented Bro. Lambert with his Life Membership Card No. 146.
Bro. Gustav Swanson extended fraternal greetings from the Distrtct Grand Lodge of Scotland and Lodge Star in The East, No. 640, SC, and invited the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1, to visit his lodge on any second Tuesday of the Month.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons the WM announced that the Lodge would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 20:50 hours with WBro. Alvarez, WM, inthe East, Bro. Hodges, SW, in the West and Bro. LaSalle, JW, in the South.
(There were 22 Brethren present)