The 294th 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 03rd day of February 1982.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 2000 hours with WB Hodges, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and WB Nakano, PM, JD, 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 February 1982, 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 MWB Nishiyama that the Treasurer's Report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and MWB Nishiyama moved and Bro. Ohashi seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: The WM submitted a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: The WM reported the results of his physical examination and his status is very good. He does not need any by-pass surgery on his heart. The Secretary noted that WB Riffle, one of our PMs, is improving a lot from his cancer surgery.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: A negative report was submitted.
FRIENDLY TIPS: The WM reported that the new edition of the FTs has been received and will be sent out next week.
COACHING: A negative report was submitted.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: A negative report was submitted.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted.
INVESTMENT: MWB Yamada presented FE #1's financial statement as of 31 December 1981 (copy attached as enclosure (1) hereto) in relation to the Lodge's investment problem. Detailed breakdown of current investment was given by MWB Yamada after which the WM expressed his idea of how to relieve the status created by the fact that the security company does not recognize FE #1 as a legal entity under Japanese law. He suggested to cash Bond #25-3; Bond #3 and Bond #2-E or to cash #3 and 25-3 as soon as possible and to wait for cashing #2-E until maturity date of 25 Sep 82 depending upon the Treasurer's decision. Any and all bonds thus cashed are to be reinvested as soon as possible through the Grand Lodge consolidated invest merit fund which would then ensure that the Lodge has direct control over all funds.
The Treasurer signified his understanding of the WM's guidance and indicated that he would proceed and report on this matter again at the March Stated Meeting.
HOUSE: The WM reported WM reported on the latest general and financial status of the Yokohama House Committee in detail as of 31 December 1981 as per financial statement attached a enclosure (2) hereto. He noted that the using Bodies will have to pay only one more quarter's worth of Property Tax in the amount of ¥454,000. After this payment we shall have no more property tax to pay. He advised that he and RWB Spiwak, the WM of Lodge Star in the East No. 640 would he inspecting the first floor of a building owned by WB Swanson and located directly behind the New Grand Hotel at 1000 hours Saturday morning, 09 February 1982. Inspection to determine if this place is or can be made suitable as a temporary meeting place of the two Lodges. He will report his findings to the Brethren at the March Stated Meeting.
BALLOTTING: Ballotting was had on the petition for Dual Membership submitted by Bro. Robert Alphonso MOORE who was duly elected to become a dual member of this Lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition for the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge was ready by the Secretary as follows: Mr. Joseph Benjamin PEARSON. The WM directed that the petition run its usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L monthly Bulletin of 20 Jan 82, a letter from the Grand Secretary forwarding a proposed resolution to the Constitution concerning Life Members, and a letter from the Chairman of the G/L Charity Committee. He also read letters from Bro. Joseph M. Frye and Bro. Henry G. Nelson.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Discussion was made on the Resolution of Lodge No 4 pertaining to the Life Members with whom communication has been lost for more than 3 years. The WM explained the situation from his experience as Lodge Secretary, citing some examples of the difficulty of maintaining these Brethren in an "inactive" status as proposed by Lodge No. 4. He stated that his personal feelings were that no such situation should be allowed to exist (that of "inactive" status) rather something will have to be done to clear the Lodge's records after a suitable period of time, the difficulty being to determine what an "appropriate period of time" should be. After considerable discussion Bro. Ohashi moved and MWB Yamada seconded a motion that the Lodge representatives to the Grand Lodge Communication be instructed to vote against the Resolultion submitted by Lodge No 4 and to submit for consideration of the Grand Lodge a proposal to be drafted by WB Hodges and voted on at the next Stated Meeting. WB Hodges then tabled the motion and advised the Brethren that the matter would again be taken under Unfinished Business at the March Stated Meeting. He also said that the G/L request for donations to the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund would be taken up under Unfinished Business at the March Stated meeting.
The WM than 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 2158 hours with WB Hodges, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and WB Nakano, PM, JD, Acting JW in the South.
There were 7 Brethren present.
APPROVED
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
S. NISHIYAMA, PGM
SECRETARY