The 278th 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 3rd day of September 1950.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1955 hours with WB Katagiri, WM in the East, MWB Nishiyama, SW in the West, and Br Ohashi, JW in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren and first time visitors present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of September, 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 read.
Next the Treasurer's report was given by MWB Yamada. MWB Yamada also gave the annual report on Lodge funds as required by the by-laws. Br Howard moved and WB Hodges seconded that they be accepted subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary then read the bills for the period. WB Hodges moved and Br Howard seconded that we pay our bills. MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHARITY: Negative. No word has been received from Br Malcomson in response to our letter.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Negative.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges stated that he had received few inputs for the next edition and that the inputs were due on the 20th of September.
COACHING: The WM reported that Brs. Sugano, Komachi, and Sakai were not yet ready for their First Degree Proficiency. WB Hodges stated that he had not yet been able to contact Br. Forbes concerning his MM Proficiency but that he would keep trying.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative.
AUDIT: Negative.
FINANCE AND INVESTMENT: The annual report on the Lodge's finances and investments has been presented this evening. The Audit Committee has scheduled a meeting on September 13 to discuss the report, specifically the Temple Trust Fund.
HOUSE COMMITTEE: Much discussion having been held prior to the meeting this evening the WM stated that he would call for more discussion and a vote under New Business if appropriate.
There were no new Petitions and no ballotting was held.
The usual Grand Lodge Bulletin as well as correspondence concerning the price of PM jewels and aprons was read and a letter announcing the Installation of Sinim Lodge Officers was also read.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: There was further discussion on a course of action to be taken by the Lodge concerning the agreements on the Temple problem, there having apparently been changes by Masonic Hall Ltd. of Hong Kong which were not fully understood. After some discussion WB Barrs made a motion that we reject the agreements as amended by MHL, ask for no further court delays and instruct our lawyer that unless there is a counter offer from MHL that we consider the out of court efforts to reach an agreement as having failed and that we wish to pursue the court case. MWB Robertson seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED
Further under new business, WB Hodges accepted the appointment to the House Committee as Far East No. 1 representative and also agreed to take charge of the bank account for the House Committee until further arrangements could be made. WB Katagiri also stated that he would take over the primary task of negotiating our legal position from WB Barrs.
WB Katagiri also called for discussion on the subject of declining membership in the Grand Lodge and constituent Lodges and the resultant effect on finances. Many suggestions were offered and WB Katagiri thanked the Brethren for their thoughtful comments and stated that he would convey them to the Grand Master at the next Executive Committee meeting as had been requested.
WB Katagiri stated that there was no apparent work for the Lodge during the month and asked Br. Ohashi to be sure and inform Mrs Nagumo so that she would not make unnecessary trips.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs, the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 2150 hours with WB Katagiri in the East, WB Nishiyama in the West and Br Ohashi in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present.
APPROVED
SABURO KATAGIRI
MASTER
ATTEST
JACK C. BARRS
SECRETARY