The 216th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 2nd day of July 1975.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. Bartelson, JW, (acting SW) in the West and MW Bro. Robertson PGM, (acting JW) in the South.
The WM announced that this was our Stated Meeting for the Month of July and before getting into business he recognized the distinguished Brethren present 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.
Bro. Alaback, the Treasurer, then gave the Treasurer's Report and it was approved as presented subject to the usual audit. The Secretary presented the bills for the period and they were approved as presented.
The next order of business was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: The WM read aloud a letter concerning the Temple property and appointed the following Brethren to study the letter and prepare a reply: MW Bro. Robertson, RW Bro. Nishiyama, W Bro. Hodges, W Bro. Williams, Bro. Bartelson, Bro. Poll and Bro. Alaback.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Bartelson reported going ahead with plans for picnic scheduled for Sat. 19, July and that all Masons and families to include children were welcome. Also that if it should rain the picnic would be canceled, and not rescheduled.
DeMOLAY: NEG.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Bartelson reported that latest issue had been mailed and next issue would be started soon.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Bro. Diel reported NEG.
COACHING: Bro. Bartelson reported he hoped Bro. Wilson would be prepared sometime next month, and Bro. McGeorge would be ready next week.
AUDIT: The WM pointed out that Bro. Mason had departed and Bro. DeLuna was acting SW in Yokosuka Lodge No. 20. He then requested Bro. Diel to serve as chairman of the committee assisted by Bro. Patterson and DeLuna. Bro. Diel accepted.
SICK & VISITATION: Bro. Diel was happy to report no one sick.
LAPSATION: W Bro. Williams read list of Brethren who have not paid current years dues and also list of those to be suspended for NPD on Dec. 31, 1975, and that notices had been sent to all.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: W Bro. Williams reported NEG. The WM then requested Bro. Patterson to place himself West of the Altar and presented him with Life Membership card No. 152 with all congratulating Bro. Patterson. W Bro. Hodges then requested from the Secretary the list of Brethren who had been mailed notices, and remarked that he would have it reproduced in several copies and distributed to the Brethren for possible contacting and also to include in the next issue of the FT's.
CHARITY: The Secretary reread the letter concerning the Grand Lodge Emergency Charity Fund. Discussion followed. W Bro. Williams moved and Bro. Bartelson seconded that Far East Lodge donate ¥5,000 to that fund. Motion carried
MW Bro. Robertson and Bro. Zalewski both donated ¥15,000 each, and Bros. Hodges, Bartelson and Williams ¥5,000 for a grand total of ¥50,000.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. Alaback reported he had complied a list of 25 local doctors in and around Yokohama and would be talking with several of them concerning the program. Also that he was now authorized to expend up to ¥5,000 per day for an interpreter to assist in this worthy project.
BALLOTING: Secret Ballot was had on the following named petitioner and he was elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge:
Mr. NEGRANZA, Cresencio Velasco
NEW PETITIONS: NONE.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: The WM then read a letter from Mrs. Clute informing us of the death of her husband and our Brother Lawrence H. Clute. He then requested the Brethren to be upstanding for a memorial prayer to the memory of Brother Clute.
The WM announced that next week would be a First Degree for Mr. Negranza, and that he would be leaving for California for about 4 or 5 days.
Also the SGL VW Bro. Ronald E. Napier would make an official visit next week.
Bro. Bartelson commended Bro. Matt Zalewski and Bro. Wilson for their assistance with the marking out of the parking lot. W Bro. Hodges thanked them all for their fine work, especially Bro. Bartelson on the fine job of keeping the grounds and hrubbery in such good condition.
Bro. Alaback then gave a brief report on the GL executive meeting and reported the GM was going to Okinawa and anyone wishing to travel in his party (at their own expense) should contact the GL and get on the list. Additionally anyone with any article or other material for publication in the GL Quarterly was encouraged to send it in.
There being no further business to come before this lodge of Master Masons the WM 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. Bartleson in the West and MW Bro. Robertson in the South.
(There were 15 Brethren present)