The 287th 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 June 1981.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1940 hours with WB Katagiri PM, WM in the East, MWB Nielson PGM, (Acting) SW in the West, and Bro. Otani, Tiler, (Acting) JW in the South.
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 June 1981, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the last stated meeting and all subsequent special meetings. He further announced that we would receive MWB Takano, GM of Masons in Japan afterwards.
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 WB Hodges moved and MWB Yamada seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Katagiri submitted a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Katagiri submitted a negative report.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: WB Katagiri announced that we would have a Chinese Dinner for the GM on 18 September 1981. Further details to be announced later. Bros. Ohashi and LaSalle to be responsible for making arrangements. He then announced that he would be the Installing Officer for our Lodge this year and that WB Hodges would be the Installing Marshal with MWB Yamada delivering the Ancient Charges to the Master and Wardens.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that the FEB-APR 81 issue of the FTs had been mailed on 25 & 26 May 81. Planning for the next issue has commenced wih a hoped-for publication date of mid- to late-August. As this will be the "Temple Problem" issue WB Katagiri instructed that a draft be prepared by the Editor and submitted to all PGMs, PMs, and reigning Masters of the Lodge for their review prior to publication in order that the issue be presented as clearly and objectively as possible.
COACHING: No report was made.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Yamada submitted a negative report.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted.
INVESTMENT: WB Katagiri announced that the accumulated dollar interests on the Life Membership Dollar investment had been converted to yen recently due to a favorable rate of exchange. Exact amount to be reported by the Treasurer after he has had an opportunity to consult with Mitsubishi Bank.
HOUSE: WB Katagiri reaffirmed that the court proceedings have been formally closed and instructed the Secretary to read the letter dated May 12, 1981 from our lawyer and attached hereto as enclosure (1) which formally advises of the close of the court case and which has attached to it an authenticated copy of the Court's record of May 6 1981. This same letter also implies that the lawyer expects to receive an unspecified fee for the "successful" conclusion of the case. WB Katagiri advised that he has discussed this matter with the lawyer and has told the lawyer to submit his bill for consideration by the Lodge and by Star of the Orient Chapter No. 2, OES, who were co-defendants in the case. After receipt of the lawyer's bill, this matter will again be brought before the Lodge.
Some discussion on the condition of the Temple was had and it was pointed out that the upcoming rainy season would no doubt cause considerable discomfort due to the increasing number of leaks in the roof. As a precaution, WB Hodges volunteered to remove the rheostat by the Treasurer's chair as it sits directly under one of the worst leaks. Other precautions may become necessary as time goes by and the wiring becomes waterlogged.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read several pieces of correspondence from the Brethren. Not being in receipt of the Grand Lodge Bulletin for the previous month none was read nor was any other Grand Lodge correspondence available.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Katagiri encouraged Brethren who are considering attending the Dedication Ceremony of the new Grand Lodge in September/November to get their reservations into the Grand Lodge as soon as possible. Indications are that there may possibly be a shortage of space and that arrangements are being made on a first-come, first-served basis.
He also announced that the Grand Lodge Children's Festival was a huge success with more than 1,000 children and other invited guests in attendance.
WB Katagiri announced that the Grand Lodge had recently held its "first ever" Press Conference. The Press conference was used as a means of explaining the nature of our Craft to the Japanese People and as a means of countering the misinformation being published in the Japanese Press resulting from the incident in Italy which has been seized upon by the Japanese Press as a rather large item of news. A second conference was held on 03 June 1981 to further clarify the meaning of Masonry. WB Katagiri being the primary speaker for the Grand Lodge felt that the Press reaction was mostly favorable but with some reservations and suspicions still remaining. Further Press Conferences may be held in the future as the Grand Master is especially concerned with the unfavorable news reports being published in most of the major newspapers.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge, MWB Takano, Grand Master of Masons in Japan, addressed the Brethren, expounding on a number of points of Masonic concern here in Japan after which MWB.Takano thanked the Brethren for their warm reception and closed the lodge in "short form" at 2118 hours with WB Katagiri, PM, WM in the East, MWB Nielson, PM, (Acting) SW in the West, and Bro. Otani, Tiler, (Acting) JW, in the South.
There were 10 Brethren present.
APPROVED
TADASHI OHASHI
ACTING MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES
SECRETARY