The 261st 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 4th day of April 1979.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with WB Jack C. Barrs, WM in the East, WB Thomas H. Hodges (acting SW) in the West and WB Saburo Katagiri, JW, in the South.
The WM requested the Brethren to be upstanding while the Charter was draped and then to join him in silent prayer in memory of MWB Bro. Nohea O. A. Peck who passed away at 03:10 hours, Apri1 3, 1979.
He then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date, and announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our 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 Brother Matthew Zalewski and WB Hodges moved and Bro. Jewell seconded that the report be approved as presented subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The WM reported the audit committee had reviewed the Treasurer's books and had found them to be satisfactory.
The Secretary then read the bills and WB Hodges moved and Bro. Katagiri seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: NONE.
PAY OF MEMBERS: WB Williams reported dues steadily coming in.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: NONE
FRIENDLY TIPS: WM reported he was collecting input for next issue and encouraged all to participate with anything of interest to the Brethren.
COACHING: Bro. Jewell reported Bro. Rohrer was making fine progress and would be ready soon. The WM related that he would continue trying to contact Bro. Forbes and Nakayama.
SICK AND VISITATION: NONE.
MASONIC EDUCATION & LODGE HISTORY: WB Barrs read a brief and interesting article on the subject "How Secret is Masonry".
AUDIT: The WM reported the committee will continue to review the records and various Lodge Funds.
TEMPLE TRUST FUND: NONE.
HOUSE: The WM reported he had signed a new rental agreement for the house in back this evening and that the House committee was financially solvent and that there were no further developments concerning the Temple and property and our present position is stable.
BALLOTING: NONE.
PETITIONS: NONE.
COMMUNICATIONS: The WM raised the Brethren and the Secretary read a letter from the Grand Master concerning donation to the Grand Lodge Charity Festival and after the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Williams moved and Bro. Hodges seconded that Far East Lodge donate Yen 30,000 provided no other financial assistance is required. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary also read a letter requesting assistance from The International Order of Rainbow for Girls. WB Hodges moved and WB Williams seconded to donate Yen 20,000 to this worthy cause. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM appointed a Financial Investment Committee with himself as Chairman and Brothers Zalewski, Robertson, Hodges and Williams as members. The duties of this committee will be to re-evaluate all funds invested for the Lodge, in order to obtain highest possible interest yield and to clarify funds presently invested. WM announced that next week would be a Lodge of Instruction and WB Hodges related he would make his first official visit as the GL Inspector on that date.
GOOD OF THE ORDER: The WM, on behalf of all the Brethren thanked Bro. Matthew Zalewski for donating a light control rheostat, that the ceremonial work may continue to he done in good order. Bro. Zaleweki responded and related on behalf of the worthy Matron, Officers and Members of Star of the Orient, Chapter No. 2, OES, their thanks for the fine work done on the Temple and grounds recently. Also, their desire to be notified of the next work detail so that they may participate and assist.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons the WM announced that we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 21:30 hours with WB Jack C. Barrs, WM in the East, WB Thomas H. Hodges (acting SW) in the West and WB Saburo Katagiri, JW, in the South.
(There were 9 Brethren present.)