Minutes 7 December 1977

The 245th 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 7th day of December 1977.

A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with WB McGowan, WM in the East, WB Sagara, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Norman, JS, (Acting) JW in the South.

The WM raised the Lodge and announced the death of Bro. Royce Darwell ZANT on 20 June 1977. After a moment of silent prayer he 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 December 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 WB Hodges and seconded by Bro. Griffin 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. Livernois moved and Bro. Redman seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

Next was the report of the several committees:

HOUSE: Deferred to Unfinished Business.

ENTERTAINMENT: Negative.

DeMOLAY: Negative.

PUBLICATIONS: Negative.

EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: Negative.

MEMBERSHIP: Negative.

COACHING: Negative.

AUDITING: Negative.

SICK & VISITATION: Bro. Griffin reported that Bro. Amsun is till in the haspital at Yokosuka. WB Hodges announced that Bro. Polin had called from Pusan, Korea, on 5 Dec 1977 and informed him that he was involved in a car wreck on 1 Dec 77 and was under doctor's care at Hialeah. While injuries were not too serious, he wretched his back and his head was injured. He expected to under the doctor's care for about three weeks.

LAPSATION: The Secretary then read the names of those Brethren who will be suspended on 31 December 1977 for non-payment of dues unless their 1975 and/or 1976 dues are received prior to that date. They are:

• Bro. BAILEY, George N.
• Bro. BLAUVELT, Raymond R.
• Bro. GLENN, Henry S.
• Bro. HOLLEYMAN, Alan R.
• Bro. LOVE, Berry M.
• Bro. SOMMERVILLE, David L.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP: Negative.

CHARITY: Negative.

SIGHT ASSISTANCE: Negative.

LODGE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: Negative.

LIBRARY: Negative.

BALLOTING: Secrete balloting was had on the petition of Mr. Samuel Eugene FIELDS for the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge and he was elected.

RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition of Mr. Joel Howard SKINNER for the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge was read.

CORRESPONDENCE:

WB McGowan read an invitation from Star of the Orient, Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star to their open installation.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB McGowan read the appropriate section 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.

WB McGowan rendered a report on the status of the Temple and property as set forth in enclosure (1) hereto. He read a number of letters after which he stated that he would entertain "non-heated" discussions. A number of questions were asked and answers were rendered. The Secretary asked if copies of all correspondence concerning the Temple and Property will be turned over to the Secretary for retention in the Lodge Archives. WB McGowan stated that they would be providing they are addressed to the Lodge.

NEW BUSINESS: WB McGowan requested WB DeLuna and Bro. Livernois to place themselves West of the Altar where, after appropriate remarks, he presented them with Meritorious Certificates for their dedicated work to Masonry and the Lodge during the past year. He then called the Lodge briefly free from restraint. At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB McGowan announced that we would proceed with the balloting for the Officers for the ensuing Masonic Year but before doing so he read a letter from WB SAGARA extending his regrets and declining any elective or appointive position for the next year. WB McGowan seconded that announcement for himself. WB Hodges read a letter from WB WILLIAMS extending his regrets and declining to accept any elective to the positions indicated.

The WM then called the Lodge free from restraint for the purpose of allowing the Elective WM and Officers to select the appointive officers for the ensuing year. At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB DeLuna, PM, WM Elect, announced the following appointments for the ensuing Masonic Year.

Bro. Livernois moved and Bro. Redman seconded that WB McGowan be awarded a PM Jewel, Apron and Case. MOTION CARRIED.

WB DeLuna then called the Lodge briefly free from restraint an at the sound of the gavel in the East, WB McGowan, from the East, thanked the Brethren for their vote of confidence by voting him a PM Jewel, Apron and Case. He reminded the Brethren of the GM's policy on smoking and refreshment in the Lodge. He then announced that on 14 December 1977 we would confer the First Degree on Mr. Fields and that the Lodge would be dark for the remainder of the month.

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 21:58 hours with WB McGowan, WM, in the East, WB Sagara, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Norman, JS, (Acting) JW, in the South.

(There were 15 Brethren Present)

ENCLOSURE {1} TO THE MINUTES OF THE STATED MEETING OF 7 DECEMBER 1977.

1. Brethren there is nothing new to report concerning the House Committee.
2. Now as for the question of the ownership/purchase/sale of the Temple and Property: As you know the Lodge in conjunction with Star of the Orient, Chapter No. 2, OES, have retained the Law Firm of Anderson, Mori & Rabinowitz to represent us in this matter. The advice I have received from our Attorneys confirms my belief that the Temple and Property belongs to all Masonic Brethren in Japan. Further that if this matter were to go before the Japanese Courts to settle this question that there is a very, very strong indication that the courts would rule in our (the Lodge's) favor.
3. As to: how long it would take and how much would it cost if we did go to court, are two questions our attorneys can not answer at this time.
4. As to: could our Grand Lodge intervene in this matter. I wrote a letter to our Grand Lodge on 21 October 1977 asking for counsel, guidance, comments and recommendations, to which the Grand Master replied that the Grand Lodge cannot enter into this controversy
5. I have received letters from the M. Tanano Law Office in Osaka (representing Mr. F.H.S. Clark) and from Lodge Star in the East, No. 640, S.C., requesting that we vacate the Temple. I have referred these letters to our attorneys with instructions to reply that we will continue to maintain occupancy of the Temple.