The 222nd 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 7th day of January 1976.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:00 hours with W Bro. Hodges, WM, in the East, Bro. Bartelson, JW, (acting SW) in the West and Bro. McGowan, MM in the South.
The WM then recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He then reported the death of Bro. Travis B. Kennedy, Jr. LM No. 42, and requested the Brethren to be upstanding for a moment of prayer in memory of Bro. Kennedy.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the Month of January 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 read.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by Bro. Alaback and it was approved subject to the usual audit. Bro. Alaback also gave a general run down on the financial situation for the year. MW Bro. Robertson then moved and Bro. Wilson seconded to return the LM fee to the widow of Bro. Kennedy. Motion carried
The Secretary read the bills for the period and Bro. Poling moved and Bro. Harding seconded to pay the bills. Motion carried
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: W Bro. Hodges reported next meeting would be held 20 January at 19:30 hours.
ENTERTAINMENT: W Bro. Hodges reported all arrangements have been made at the Officers Club for the Banquet on the 10th.
DeMOLAY: RW Bro. Nishiyama reported NEG.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Bartelson reported FT's were up to date, next issue to be published in February.
EXAM & RECEPTION: Bro. Diel reported NEG.
COACHING: W Bro. Hodges reported Special Meeting on Monday the 12th to hear proficiency of Bro. Nichols and a Fellowcraft degree for the same.
AUDITING: Bro. Diel reported that Bro. Watson had given report at last meeting. W Bro. Hodges appointed Bros. Webb and Harding to audit the books thru Dec. 31, 1975.
SICK & VISITATION: Bro. McGowan reported that Bro. Jack Davis, member of Lodge No. 640 and PM, was ill in the Yokosuka Hospital.
LAPSATION: W Bro. Williams reported NEG.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: W Bro. Williams reported NEG.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. Alaback reported NEG.
W Bro. Hodges reported 50–60 year lapel pin ready to mail to Wor. Bros. Herbert Wolff and Max E. Drummond. He also read several letters of interest.
NEW PETITIONS: The Secretary read a petition to receive the Degrees of Masonry in Far East Lodge No. 1 for the following:
Mr. OKUYAMA, Yasuo Michael
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: The Secretary read letter concerning proposed change to the Grand Lodge Constitution and By-Laws and will post. Also, letter concerning Grand Lodge Installation of Officers and Banquet to be held 13 March. MW Bro. Robertson explained further.
W Bro. Hodges announced that the lodge would open at 16:00 hours on the 10th and requested all present officers to be present. He then spoke briefly of his tenure of office as Wor. Master, expressed his gratitude to all the Brethren for having had the honor of serving and thanked everone for their support and expressed his high optimism for the future of Far East Lodge No. 1 and Masonry in Japan.
The Secretary then read a letter of invitation to the installation of officers and banquet from Lodge No. 15, to be held 17 Jan. at 2 PM.
Bro. Bartelson (Master Elect) then expressed his gratitude for having had the pleasure of serving under W Bro. Hodges as JW and SW, and wished everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.
Bro. McGowan extended fraternal greetings for the Master, W Bro. DeLuna, and the Brethren of Yokosuka Lodge No. 20.
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 21:35 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. Bartelson in the West and Bro. McGowan in the South.
(There were 19 Brethren present)