The 227th STATED MEETING of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 2nd day of June 1976.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with WB BARTELSON, WM in the East, Bro. ALABACK, SW in the West, and Bro. McGOWAN, JW in the South.
WB BARTELSON raised the Lodge and announced the death of Brother FRANK J. BUTERA, who died in March 1975 with the Lodge only receiving word last week from his Widow. WB BARTELSON then said a prayer for our departed Brother.
The WM recognized the distinguished brethren (and first time visitors) as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of June 1976, 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. It was moved by WB HODGES and seconded by Bro. HARDING that the Treasurer's Report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary than read the bills for the period and Bro. ALABACK moved and Bro. VAUGHN seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: WB HODGES reported that he was in receipt of a letter from the Chairman Yokohama Masonic House Committee which advised of the results of discussions between himself and the District Grand Master of the Far East S.C. After summarizing the contents of the letter WB HODGES advised that in accordance with telephonic discussions between him and Bro. BETTENCOURT the House Committee is seeking permission from all the Bodies occupying the Temple to authorize the District Grand Lodge Far East S.C to approach Masonic Halls Ltd., Hong Kong to commence exploratory discussions to see if it is possible to ultimately resolve the problem of ownership of the Temple and property. WB BARTELSON asked if there were any objections to the House Committee telling Hong Kong to proceed. Bro. MAADIE, while not actually objecting, recommended that we purchase the property ourselves. However, after more detailed explanation, Bro. Maadie did not indicate further objections. Hearing no further objections, WB BARTELSON instructed WB HODGES to inform Bro. BETTENCOURT that Far East Lodge No. 1 is in favor of the proposed exploratory talks and that they could proceed.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. McGowan reported on the GM's Chinese Dinner and extended his thanks to all the Brethren for their assistance in making the dinner a success. Bro. ALABACK reported that 7 people attended and that with only two exceptions all personnel attending paid. The net cost to the Lodge was only a little more than ¥9,000.
DeMOLAY: MWB NISHIYAMA, GM, reported negative.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. HARDING reported that some progress made on next issue of F.T.'s but that all current actions were suspended due to his imminent departure. All F.T material to be returned to the Secretary until a new Editor-In-Chief steps forth. WB BARTELSON thanked Bro. HARDING for his work and effort on the F.T.'s.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Negative.
MEMBERSHIP: WB BARTELSON reported negative.
COACHING: Bro. McGOWAN reported that Bros. LIVERNOIS and WEAVER not yet ready but studying. MWB NISHIYAMA, GM, reported that Bro. OKAYAMA now studying the Japanese Ritual.
AUDITING: Bro. ALABACK reported that the audit of the Treasurer's and Secretary's books revealed no unreconcilable discrepancies. Discrepancies noted were reconciled and all funds accounted for.
SICK & VISITATION: Bro. WILSON reported that visit had been made to Bro. KOMAR who is still not progressing too well.
LAPSATION: WB HODGES reported that dues notices had been mailed to all delinquent members and that the brethren are already responding.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: WB WILLIAMS reported negative.
CHARITY: Bro. ALABACK reported on the GL Orphans' Carnival noting that it was a huge success with about 80 children attending.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. ALABACK reported that all available information on Sight Assistance equipment had been turned over to the Chairman of the GL Sight Assistance Committee. He understands that he will be advised of any decisions made.
LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: Bro. ALABACK reported that a number of sessions require scheduling and that he would notify all concerned when scheduling has firmed up.
LIBRARY: Negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The following petitions were read:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Stanley Mataichi SAGARA was obligated as a Dual Member of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M.
WB BARTELSON requested that the members of the By-Laws Committee meet with him Monday evening 7 June 1976 at the Temple to take up the matter of revising our By-Laws.
NEW BUSINESS: WB BARTELSON reported that at the last GL Executive Committee meeting all Lodges were requested to advise the GL whether they desire to participate in a Blood Drive to be sponsored by the GL for the Japanese Red Cross. There are two methods used in Japan (1) being the direct contribution of blood or (2) registering with the Japanese Red Cross as a donor in the event of an emergency. After discussing the Brethren signified a preference for the latter method. The Secretary to prepare a letter to the GL listing names addresses and telephone numbers of all those desiring to register.
Bro. ALABACK requested status of proposed Fellowship Dinner. WB BARTELSON advised that it had been cancelled due to conflicting schedules.
WB HODGES then read a letter from the Secretary of Blue Springs Lodge No. 337 A.F.&A.M., Blue Springs, Missouri notifying us that Bro. Max Richard WOLF's petition for Affiliation in that Lodge had been favorably acted upon and requesting a Demit for Bro. WOLF be forwarded since their Grand Jurisdiction does not permit dual/plural membership. WB BARTELSON asked if there was any objections to granting Bro. WOLF a Demit. Hearing none, it was so ordered.
WB HODGES then read a letter from the President of the Torii Oasis Shrine Clubs of Japan which advised the cost of advertisment in their annual ceremonial pamphlet. WB HODGES moved and Bro. McGOWAN seconded that Far East Lodge No. 1 purchase a half-page advertisement at a cost of ¥20,000 in lieu of the one-fourth page purchased in previous years. MOTION CARRIED
WB HODGES reported that the mother of MWB Peck's wife had passed away on Friday, 28 May 1976. He then moved and Bro. ALABACK seconded that the Lodge present the family with ¥5,000 as a token of our condolences. MOTION CARRIED
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Bro. VAUGHN then rose and announced that he would be leaving Japan in early July and thanked the WM and Brethren for all their kindness, remarking that he would sorely miss the Lodge and that he would return to visit every opportunity possible.
MWB ROBERTSON reported that the GL has ordered 1,000 Bicentennial Lapel pins which will be available for purchase. Price not yet determined. Additional information will be provided when available.
MWB NISHIYAMA, GM, then rose and thanked the Brethren for the dinner that had been dedicated to him and expressed his gratitude for the beautiful photo album which had been presented him. He also thanked the Brethren for their support of the GL Orphans' Charity Carnival, remarking that he felt that considerable joy had been brought into their lives. He also expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the Brethren in the work of the Grand Lodge.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed in modified form at 21:28 hours with MWB NISHIYAMA, GM, in the East, Bro. ALABACK, SW in the West, and Bro. McGOWAN, JW, in the South.
(There were 19 Brethren Present)