Minutes 5 February 1975

The 211th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F&AM, was held at The Masonic Temple, No 3 B1uff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 5th day of February, 1975

A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:35 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. DeLuna (acting SW) in the West and Bro. Otani (acting JW) in the South.

The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date.

He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the last stated meeting and all subsequent special meetings.

The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.

The WM then reported that the Treasurer, Bro. Alaback, was excused this evening because of sickness in the family, and reported the cash balance only.

The Secretary then presented the bills for the period, and. Bro. Lambert moved and Bro. Reyna seconded that they be paid. Motion Carried.

The next order of business was the Report of the Several committees.

HOUSE: NEG.

ENTERTAINMENT: W Bro. Hodges commended Bros. Reyna, Alaback and Poll for the fine job of setting up the installation banquet. Bro. Reyna remarked on the wonderful cooperation from the Officers Club personnel, reduced prices for several items and that there was no cost for the photographer. About 74 present.

DeMOLAY: Bro. Otani reported Neg.

PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Lambert apologized and reported working on next issue.

EXAM. & RECPTN: NEG.

COACHING: Bro. Lambert reported Bro. Korman about ready.

AUDIT: NEG.

SICK & VISITATION: W Bro. Hodges reported that Bro. Alaback's son in hospital and no further word on Bro. Bennett's wife. Bro. DeLuna informed the Brethren of 2 Brethren in Yokosuka Hospital.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP: W Bro. Williams reported no new Life Members.

LAPSATION: W Bro. Williams reported attempting to get mailing addresses from appendant bodies for 8 Brethren dropped for NPD.

CHARITY: NEG.

SIGHT ASSISTANCE: NEG.

BALLOTING: Secret balloting was had on the below named petitioner and he was elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge.

Mr. McGEORGE, Arden James

PETITIONS READ: NONE.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: W Bro. Williams commented on the ordering of 25 year service pins. W Bro. Hodges reported that the Finance Committee was working on the budget and investments.

NEW BUSINESS: The WM requested the below named Brother to place himself West of the Altar, after which W Bro. Hodges obligated him as a dual member of Far East Lodge No. 1, with MW Bro. Robertson (acting SW) in the West and Bro. Otani (acting JW) in the South.

Bro. DeLUNA, Jose Julius

The WM then assigned the chairmen and members respectively to the following Committees:

W Bro. Hodges then announced that next week would be a 3rd. Degree for Bro. Korman and the week after a First Degree for Mr. McGEORGE. Then the third Wednesday perhaps a proficency and Second Degree for Bro. Vaughn. Bro. Ohkawa was not yet available, also that we would probably do some courtesy work jointly with Brethren from Yokosuka No. 20 in the near future.

Bro. Lambert gave a report on the Grand Lodge Executive Committee meeting, and KTMA's offer for giving away furniture.

MASONIC EDUCATION: MW Bro. Robertson read from the Grand Lodge Constitution and By-laws, Art 127, which pertains to the duties of investment and finance committees. He then read a letter from MW Bro. Peck, which was of Masonic interest, especially concerning proficiency requirements, he also spoke interestingly on the similarity of some of principles of Buddhism as they relate to some of the tenets of Freemasonry.

There being nothing further to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, the MW announced that we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 21:40 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. DeLuna (acting SW) in the West and Bro. Otani (acting JW) in the South.

(There were 10 Brethren present)