The 231st 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 6th day of October 1976.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with Bro. ALABACK, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, Bro. McGOWAN, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, and Bro. NEGRANZA, TR, (Acting) JW in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished brethren as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 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 corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by Bro. NEGRANZA. It was moved by WB HODGES and seconded by Bro. McGOWAN 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 MWB ROBERTSON moved and Bro. LIVERNOIS seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: WB HODGES reported that the extra help hired to clean up around the Temple had been terminated after the second week due to lack of funds. He also reported that one contractor had bid ¥300,000 to carry off all the accumulated trash from the Temple grounds. Another bid would be requested by another contractor.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. McGOWAN reported on the progress of the festivities for PM Night. It was made clear that the preparation of the collation room would not be the responsibility of Bro. ZALEWSKI who would be too busy in the kitchen. Other Brethren would be assigned the job of preparing the collation room and assisting Bro. ZALEWSKI as necessary.
DeMOLAY: Nothing to report.
PUBLICATIONS: WB HODGES reported that the Jun-Aug 1976 issue of the Friendly Tips had been published on schedule and that it had been mailed the last week of September about one week later than had been planned.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Nothing to report.
MEMBERSHIP: Nothing to report.
COACHING: Bro. McGOWAN reported that Bro. FERRER would be ready for examination in Second Degree by next week.
AUDITING: Bro. ALABACK advised that the Treasurer's and Secretary's books would be audited by end of month.
SICK & VISITATION: MWB ROBERTSON reported on the status of MWB HORIUCHI advising that he had visited him last week and found him to be doing very well for a man of his age. He is to be released from the hospital soon. While there MWB HORIUCHI was presented with his 25 Year Pin, a Bicentennial Pin, and a 20 Year Medallion by MWB ROBERTSON.
LAPSATION: Nothing to report.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: After ballotting and unfinished business WB HODGES reported three new Life Members No. 163 Bro. KESSLER; No. 169 Bro. WILDER and No. 170 Bro. HOWE.
CHARITY: MWB ROBERTSON reported that at the last GL Executive Committee the Grand Lodge had donated ¥300,000 to the victims of Typhoon No. 17 and requested consideration of the Lodge and all Brethren in replenishing the GL Charity Fund. The Lodge Charity Committee to take the matter up for action at the next stated meeting.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Bro. ALABACK reported that the prospective candidate at Hiratsuka still being checked out and that due to production error the Optical Scanner for the Yokohama Blind School would not be delivered until about the end of this month
LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: Bro. ALABACK reported on status indicating those who need readings would he scheduled soon.
LIBRARY: Nothing to report.
BALLOTTING: Secret written ballot on the Petition for Restoration (N.P.D.) of Bro. IRVING W KESSLER was had and Bro. KESSLER was restored. Secret ballotting was then held on the Petition for Dual Membership in this Lodge of Bro. CHESTER FREDERICK SKAGGS and Bro. EDWIN PAUL YARGA and they were elected.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition of Mr. PAUL (NMN) BRAUBAKER to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge was read.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB HODGES moved and MWB ROBERTSON seconded a motion to make Bro. WILDER and Bro. HOWE Life Members of this Lodge. Funds to be transfered from the General Fund to the Life Membership Fund. MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS: Bro. ALABACK read Article II Section 1 and 2 of the By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution.
MWB ROBERTSON reported that the GL Workshop would commence at 0830 23 October 1976 and that there would no luncheon or banquet sponsored by the GL.
Bro. ALABACK reported that WB BARTELSON will he unable to attend Lodge this month until PM Night due to work schedule. He advised that next week would be a Second Degree proficiency for Bro. FERRER and that we would have a Lodge of Masonic Education using the GL System of Education. Lodge to be open in the Second Degree.
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 due and ancient form at 21:35 hours with Bro. ALABACK, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, Bro. McGOWAN, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, and Bro. NEGRANZA, TR, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 9 Brethren Present)