The 283rd 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 February 1981
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1930 hours with WB Katagiri, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, SW in the West, and WB Brown, WM Yokosuka No. 20, (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 January 1981, 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 was the Treasurer's Report given by MWB Yamada. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Brown 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 further moved that the Secretary be permitted to spend up to $300.00 for various lodge supplies. WB Hodges moved and Bro. Howard seconded that the bills be paid and the motion made by WB Hodges be carried. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Katagiri then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of changing officer so that Brother Raymond Gordon Howard cou1d be installed as Senior Deacon. At the sound of the gavel in the East MWB Yamada, assisted by WB Katagiri as Marshal, installed Bro. Howard as Senior Warden of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.& A.M., for the ensuing year. After congratulations by those in attendance, WB Katagiri resumed the East and continued with the other business of the evening.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Negative report by WB Katagiri.
SICK AND VISITATION: Brother Ohashi gave an update on the condition of MWB Robertson after which a moment of silent prayer was had. WB Hodges read excerpts from correspondence from Bro. Gil Howe giving the condition of WB Bruce Riffle, PM of our Lodge.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: Negative report.
FRTENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges advised that the next issue of the FTs would be going to press this month. Bro. Dodd volunteered to assist with the preparation and distribution of the FTs. Hodges gratefully accepted Bro. Dodd's offer of assistance.
COACHING: WB Hodges submitted a negative report.
MASONIC EDUCAT1ON/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Yamada submitted a negative report
AUDIT: WB Hodges reported that all cash entries made since he was Secretary in 1977 have been verified and properly posted to the Dues Records of the Brethren. He recommended further delay by the Audit Committee in order to give him and MWB Yamada further time to complete their review of the Treasurer's records and method of record keeping.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: MWB Yamada commented on status of funds and general financial practice. WB Hodges spoke on the Dollar Account in the bank in the States at the conclusion of which he moved and Bro. Howard seconded a motion the the Dollar account in any bank for this Lodge be limited to not more than $500.00 with one exception and that is the current Life Membership funds of $26,701.29 which must continue to be held in dollars until the exchange rate is more favorable. MOTION CARRIED.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE: MWB Nishiyama submitted a negative report.
WB Hodges reported that he had been unsuccessful in finding a suitable method of investing the Life Membership money presently uninvested. WB Katagiri stated that he would take the matter under personal advisement and see if something suitable could be worked out with his Bank. Results will be reported to the Lodge next stated meeting.
HOUSE: WB Katagiri reported that there was nothing to report on the legal problem. No further action has been taken by MHL except to obtain further delay in the courts. Situation still is status-quo.
WB Hodges reported that it will be necessary to assess the using Bodies ¥52,000 each this month (February 81) in order to have sufficient funds to pay the property tax of ¥454,000 due on 28 February 1981. WB Hodges pointed out that it was costing the using Bodies collectively about ¥8,250 or $41.50 per day every day, to use the temple. WB Katagiri commented that he considered the price reasonable for the facility.
BALLOTTING: WB Katagiri reported that the Committee of Investigations had made a full and favorable report on the petition of Mr. Nestor Cabrera BALUYUT. By secret ballot, Mr. Nestor Cabrera Baluyut was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this Lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read various pieces of correspondence including the Grand Lodge Bulletin dated January 20, 1981. There was no correspndence of such significance that a report in these minutes was necessary except that made on the condition of WB Riffle reported on under SICK AND VISITATION.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Secretary reported that his review of Dues payments revealed that Brother Frank Rufus COPELAND. Jr. has not paid his dues in over two years and that he should have been suspended for Non-Payment of Dues on 31 December 1980. Since he was not it was necessary to suspend Brother Frank Rufus Copeland Jr. for non-payment of dues effective this date (04 February 1981). It was so ordered by WB Katagiri.
WB Katagiri reported on the status of the new Grand Lodge. The cornerstone laying will be on 23 May 1981 and dedication of the new temple on 7 November 1981 vide information previously furnished. He then advised that the wife of WB Miyoshi, PM Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11, had recently passed away and that funeral services were scheduled for 8 February, 1981.
WB Katagiri then had the Senior Deacon escort MWB Yoshio Yamada West of the Altar where he took great pleasure in presenting MWB Yamada with his 25 year pin and letter of congratulations and thanks. He noted that MWB Yamada in fact had completed his 25 years as a Master Mason 10 March 1979 and that somehow the matter had not been previously noted. MWB Yamada responded with appropriate remarks after which congratu1ations were extended by the Brethren present.
NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business brought before this Lodge.
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 2140 hours with WB Katagiri, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, SW in the West, and WB Brown, WM Yokosuka No. 20, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present.
APPROVED
SABURO KATAGIRI
MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES
SECRETARY