The 244th 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 November 1977.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:45 hours with WB McGowan, WM in the East, WB Sagara, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Livernois, SD, (Acting) JW in the South.
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 November 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.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by Bro. Zalewski . It was moved by Bro. Livernois and seconded by Bro. Poling 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 WB DeLuna moved and Bro. Livernois seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: Deferred to Unfinished Business.
ENTERTAINMENT: WB McGowan announced that due to prior commitments the Lodge would not sponsor per se a fishing trip the balance of this year. Bro. Livernois reported that the Pond at Zama is open and he and a number of other Brethren are planning some informal trips and all those who want were encouraged to join.
DeMOLAY: No report.
PUBLICATIONS: WB Hodges reminded the Pillars that the next edition is scheduled to go to the printers NLT 10 Dec and that they should have their input to him NLT 1 Dec 1977 if possible. WB McGowan instructed WB Hodges to present the next edition of the FTs to him for review prior to sending to the printer.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: No report.
MEMBERSHIP: No report.
COACHING: WB Williams reported that Bro. Ortiz is ready to give his First Degree proficiency. WB McGowan instructed WB Williams to tell Bro. Ortiz that he would listen to his proficiency next week (9 November 1977)
AUDITING: WB DeLuna reported that he and the Audit Committee intend to complete the audit up to date before next Stated Meeting.
SICK & VISITATION: WB McGowan reported that the wife of WB Tillman, WM, Yokosuka No 20, had been in and out of the hospital a couple of times and is currently in the hospital at Yokosuka. WB Williams reported that Bro. Aswald Amunson is in the hospital at Yokosuka.
LAPSATION: Report overlooked in the business of the evening.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: No report.
CHARITY: WB McGowan asked for a report from the Clothes Committee Bro. Weaver reported that work would start soon on this project.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: No report.
LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: No report.
LIBRARY: Bro. Norman reported that slow but sure progress being made.
BALLOTING: The following petitions were balloted.
and they were all elected.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read the following petitions:
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read two letters as follows.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB McGowan reported that FE Lodge No. 1 and Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 2 have retained the law firm of "Anderson, Mori and Rabinowitz" to represent us on the matter of the Temple and Property. He has requested that the law firm to prepare a legal brief concerning the matter and will present it to the Lodge when it is completed.
WB WILLIAMS reported that the "Temple Trust Fund" board was now up to date. WB McGowan then read the appropriate sections of the By-Laws and Constitution that pertains to the election of officers e.g. Article II Sections 1 and 2 of the By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution. He announced that election of officers for 1978 would be held on the Stated Meeting for December 1977, specifically 7 December 1977. He encouraged all the Members to attend this meeting as it is perhaps the most important meeting of the year.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges moved and WB Williams seconded a motion that the Lodge purchase six (6) presentation Bibles at a cost of approximately ¥25,000. MOTION CARRIED.
The WM then called the Lodge briefly free from restraint and at the sound of the gavel in the East he requested Bro. Walker to present himself West of the Altar where he presented Bro. Walker with his Master Mason Diploma.
WB Williams then moved that the motion he made at the Stated Meeting of 5 October 1977, as follows "It was moved by WB Williams and seconded by Bro. Livernois that the WM be authorized to commit up to $700.00 through the House Committee as our share of the costs, providing the House Committee votes to acquire the air conditioner." be rescinded. Motion seconded by Bro. Weaver. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Willaims then moved that the WB be authorized up to $700.00 to acquire the air conditioner at the Grand Lodge and for the installation of same. Bro. Livernois seconded the motion. After discussion the MOTION CARRIED.
Bro. Livernois then invited the Brethren to join him in an effort to effect disassembly of the air conditioner and relocating it to Yokohama in order to save as much money as possible.
WB McGowan announced that the schedule for November 1977 would be:
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Hasons, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 22:28 hours with WB McGowan, WM in the East, WB Sagara, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Livernois, SD, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 16 Brethren Present)