The 237th 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 April 1977.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with WB SAGARA, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, WB BARTELSON, PM, (Acting) SW in the West, and WB WILLIAMS, PM, (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 April 1977, 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.
There was no Treasurer's report due to the absence of Bro. Zalewski.
The Secretary than read the bills for the period and WB WILLIAMS moved and WB DeLUNA seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: Report given under New Business.
ENTERTAINMENT: WB SAGARA announced that the Grand Master's Dinner will be held on 28 May 1977 and that the Entertainment Committee should make arrangements accordingly. Additionally Far East Lodge No. 1 will host the Grand Lodge Executive Committee meeting for May on that same day at 1300 hours.
DeMOLAY: Nothing to report.
PUBLICATIONS: WB HODGES reported that the last issue of the FTs had been mailed.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Nothing to report.
MEMBERSHIP: Nothing to report.
COACHING: No report.
AUDITING: Nothing to report. WB SAGARA advised the Auditing Committee that WB McGOWAN desires that they audit the books before the May Stated Meeting.
SICK & VISITATION: Bro. Lou Reifenstein was reported as ill with either kidney stones or gall stones Bro. Zalewski appears to have recovered from his recent illness.
LAPSATION: WB HODGES submitted a negative report.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: WB HODGES advised there was nothing to report.
CHARITY: WB SAGARA advised there was nothing to report.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: There was nothing to report since Bro. Chihara has not accepted assignment to the Sight Assistance Committee.
LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: No report was rendered.
LIBRARY: Bro. NORMAN rendered a negative report.
BALLOTING: Secret balloting was had on the petitions of Mr. Gary Michael MANES and Mr. Raymond Edward JEWELL for the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge and they were elected.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The following petitions were read:
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read:
OLD BUSINESS: WB SAGARA announced that WB McGOWAN wants to hold a meeting of the Temple Trust Fund Committee at 1830 hours 11 April 1977 at the Temple. All members of the Committee to be in attendance.
NEW BUSINESS: Bro. WEAVER moved that the Lodge man a booth at the Eastern Star Bazaar on 30 April and 1 May 1977; at the 4 July Bazaar; and at the Annual Bon Odori Festival in August, to sell ice creams and cokes for the purpose of raising funds with 10% of the profits going to the GL Charity Festival Fund and the balance to the Lodge Harmony Fund. Motion seconded by WB WILLIAMS. MOTION CARRIED.
Bro. WEAVER moved and Bro. POLING seconded a motion that the Lodge sponsor a Little League Team and that the Lodge donate ¥50,000 to help defray the expenses, with the remainder of the money to be furnished from the profits to be derived from manning a booth at the various Bazaars and individual donations. MOTION CARRIED.
WB SAGARA called for assistance to man the Booths and Bros. LIVERNOIS and WEAVER responded. Additionally, WB SAGARA called for a volunteer to man a Pay Station at the Eastern Star Bazaar. Bro. WEAVER responded.
WB SAGARA announced that there would be a 1st Degree on the 13th and 20th and announced the names of the Degree team for both evenings. The Secretary to coordinate and ensure that one of the candidates is available each night.
WB SAGARA then announced that the Lodge will pay an official visit to Yokosuka Lodge No. 20 on 12 April 1977. The Lodge at Yokosuka opens at 18:15 hours. All members were urged to attend particularly the officers.
WB HODGES then gave a report on the meetings of the House Committee held on 15 March and 1 April 1977 as denoted in their minutes of those dates attached as enclosures (1) and (2) hereto. He then gave a brief history of the Temple and property and the problem of ownership which has not been resolved in over 40 years. Upon completion of his presentation WB WILLIAMS moved and Bro. LIVERNOIS seconded a motion to ratify the recommendation of the House Committee to not to agree to the sale of the property. MOTION CARRIED.
WB HODGES then moved that Far East Lodge No. 1 in connection with the other Bodies purchase Masonic Halls Ltd. Hong Kong at a price of ¥41,000,000 as recommended by the House Committee. Motion died due to no Second.
WB WILLIAMS moved and WB BARTELSON seconded a motion that Far East Lodge No. 1, in connection with Lodge Star in the East No. 640 and Star of the Orient, Chapter No. 2, Order of Eastern Star, acquire all interest in the Temple and property. MOTION CARRIED.
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 23:00 hours with WB SAGARA, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, WB BARTELSON, PM, (Acting) SW in the West, and WB WILLIAMS, PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 13 Brethren Present)