The 286th 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 6th day of May 1981.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 2020 hours with WB Katagiri, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, SW in the West, and Bro. LaSalle, JW in the South.
WB Katagiri raised the Lodge for a moment of silent prayer for Bros. Ivins & Bowser.
The WM 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 May 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 MWB Yamada and seconded by WB Brown that the Treasurer's Report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MWB Yamada's financial report for 1980, attached as enclosure (1) hereto, was accepted subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary than read the bills for the period and WB Hodges moved and WB Brown seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Katagiri instructed the Secretary to read the letter from the GL Community Relations Committee dated April 25, 1981, which.provides details on the GL 6th Annual Masonic Children's Festival to be held on 31 May 1981 at Tokyo. After some discussion WB Hodges moved and Bro. Ohashi seconded a motion to donate ¥40,000 to the GL for use by the Festival Committee. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Katagiri requested Bro. Ohashi to arrange for bus transportation to pick up the orphanages designated by the GL Committee as being the responsibility of this Lodge.
SICK AND VISITATION: Bro. Ohashi submitted a negative report.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: WB Katagiri requested Bro. LaSalle to arrange for the Lodge's Installation Banquet at WB Weinberger's restaurant in Yokohama, installation to be held on 12 December 1981. WB Katagiri then brought up the matter of our traditional Chinese Dinner for the Grand Master. He requested the Brethren to consider the cost and other factors and advised that the matter would again be brought up at the June Stated Meeting for a decision as to whether or not we will have the dinner this year.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that the next issue of the FTs would be on the street as soon as he receives Bro. Ohashi's input. It was also decided that this issue would not present details on the Temple and Property issue but that the next issue would be devoted entirely to this matter.
COACHING: A negative report was submitted.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Yamada submitted a negative report.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted,.
INVESTMENT: WB Katagiri reported on the status of Life Membership funds interest.
HOUSE: WB Katagiri reported that the court action has been withdrawn and that the matter is legally out of the court. He indicated that he was trying to arrange an informal meeting between the principal members of each of the groups to review the matter in hope of commencing the healing process between all the parties. WB Hodges read the Yokohama Masonic House Committee Financial Statement for 1980, a copy of which is attached as enclosure (2).
BALLOTTING: Negative.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: Negative.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin dated April 20, 1981 and several other pieces of GL correspondence and some correspondence from the Brethren.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: In accordance with Article VI, Lodge By-Laws, the Secretary reported that 14 members owe dues for 1980/81 in the amount of ¥l26,000 and that 33 members owe dues for 1981 in the amount of ¥148,500 for a total of ¥274,500 in dues still owed the Lodge as of 09 May 1981. The Secretary advised that formal dues notices will be mailed with the next issue of the FTs.
NEW BUSINESS: The Secretary read a request for Demit from Brother Jimmie Lee EVANS which was duly granted by the WM, Bro. Evans having paid all dues and fees owed the Lodge and his being in good standing.
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 2147 hours with WB Katagiri, PM, in the East, Bro. Ohashi, SW in the West, and Bro. LaSalle, JW in the South.
There were 8 Brethren present.
APPROVED
SABURO KATAGIRI
MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES
SECRETARY