The 272nd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F&AM was he1d at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 5th day of March 1980.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1930 hours with WB Katagiri, WM in the East, Br. Sketo (acting) SW in the West, and Br. Judy (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 March, 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 the Treasurer's report was given by MWB Yamada. Although the formal financial records of the Lodge were still not available, the Treasurer gave a very complete reading of the current balances for both cash accounts and investments. WB Hodges moved and MBW Yamada seconded that the report be approved as read subject to the usual audit and with the hope that our records could be reconstructed in the near future. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary then read the bills for the month of February. WB Hodges moved and Br. Judy seconded that we pay our just debts. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
Audit: Negative report. Sevaral brethren expressed the hope that we would soon be able to reconstruct the financial record of the Lodge lost when Br. Zalewski died. The members of the audit committee stated that every effort would be made to accomplish this task as soon as possible.
Investment and Finance: The same comments as were made during the Treasurer's report and the audit committee discussion were reemphasized and other relevant comments were made by WB Hodges concerning his belief that the lodge investments could be reconciled with a good probability of a complete accounting.
Coaching: WB Hodges gave a report on the brethren progressing through the various degrees and proficiencies. Bros Eugenio, Koch, Colburn and Forbes were reported on.
Friendly Tips: WB Hodges reported that his goal was to get the first edition of the FT's completed by the end of March and ready for mailing in early in April and asked that all Brethren desiring to provide an input do so by the last week in March at the latest.
Sick and Visitation: A report was given by the WM on the illness of MWB Nishiyama's wife. He said that flowers had been sent in the name of the Lodge and the bill had been presented to the Br. Secretary.
WB Barrs stated that the flower bill had been paid out of the Harmony fund. WB Hodges stated that it was the custom to pay such bills out of the general fund since it involved the welfare of a Mason or his family and that was after all the main purpose of our existence. Br. Barrs agreed and stated that, if it was agreeable, he would include the current flower bill with the regular bills taken up for this month. Br. Judy stated that he thought that we should continue to send flowers on a regular basis so long as MWB Nishiyama's wife was ill and he so moved. WB Hodges seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED
WB Katagiri stated that he would take care of the arrangements.
Charity: Negative.
Refreshment and Entertainment: Br. Judy gave a written report on the balance in the Harmony fund which was read by the Br. Secretary. Br. Judy then stated that since he would be departing in mid-year that he requested that the WM take under advisement providing a replacement to handle the Harmony fund.
Masonic Education and Lodge History: Negative.
House: A lengthy report was given explaining the results of the March 1 meeting of Representatives of Masonic Halls Ltd., Lodge 640, Far East Lodge No. 1, OES Chapter No. 2, and various Grand Lodge Representatives in Tokyo on the current legal and Masonic problem concerning the Temple property. The final results of that meeting were briefly summarized for the Brethren with the assurance that as soon as some agreement was reached that a written report would be produced. A long discussion ensued among several Brethren in which it was stated by WB Barrs that the only thing left in the way of an agreement on the issues which had been outlined was a formalizing by Masonic Halls Ltd. and acceptance by Lodge 640. WB Barrs stated that as a result of the Tokyo meeting that it was his opinion that Lodge 640 indicated that they might have some difficulty with a portion of the proposed agreement which called for sharing equally among the present Temple occupants. WB Hodges asked the permission of the WM to try to exert whatever positive influence he could on the matter because of his close ties with some members of Lodge 640. After some discussion he was given the WM's permission to negotiate on the matter so long as he made no committments on behalf of Far East Lodge No. 1.
Balloting: The petition of Br. Raymond Gordon Howard was balloted upon for dual membership in this Lodge. He was elected and obligated.
Petitions: There were no new petitions.
Correspondence: The Secretary read the Grand Lodge Bulletin and other correspondence.
Old Business: None.
New Business: A discussion was held about a Lodge of instruction to he held next week after which the Brethren would adjourn to a local restaurant for fellowship.
The Br. Secretary reminded the Brethren that he would soon finalize the arrangements for the Grand Lodge Communication, and asked that all brethren who planned to attend please confirm with him.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 2300 hours with WB Katagiri in the East, Br. Sketo in the West and Br. Judy in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present.
APPROVED
SABURO KATAGIRI
MASTER
ATTEST
JACK C. BARRS
SECRETARY