The 296th 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 2nd day of June 1982.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1950 hours with WB Hodges, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and MWB Yamada, PGM, TR, Acting JW in the South.
He then announced that we would receive MWB H. Onishi, GM of Masons in Japan, with Grand Honors who is making his official visit this year
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 1982, the next 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 Katagiri 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 WB Hodges moved and MWB Yamada seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Hodges submitted a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: MWB Yamada reported on the condition of MWB Nishiyama and MWB Onishi reported on the condition of MWB Nakano who is suffering from shingles. Lodge to present flowers or other suitable gift to MWB Nishiyama and MWB Nakano. MWW Yamada and MWB Onishi to see to it that suitable gifts are conveyed to the two brethren.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges thanked Bro. Otani, JW, for arranging for refreshments this evening and then requested Bro. Otani to arrange for the Annual Grand Master's Chinese Dinner to be held this summer at a date convenient to the Grand Master. Assistance to be provided by other Brethren as may be requested/appointed by Bro. Otani.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges noted that the Feb-Apr 1982 issue has been mailed slightly ahead of schedule. He further indicated that he hopes to have the May-July issue in the mail no later than mid-to-end of August 1982. He intends to publish some of the reactions to his "Issues of Concern" and noted that he has already received some favorable responses from MWB Chester O. Nielson, WB Jack C. Barrs, PM, and some other members. To date he has received no unfavorable responses to his article.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that Bro. Pearson has indicated that he intends to "buckle down" and learn his first degree proficiency. While Bro. Pearson set no specific date for being ready, it is hoped that he will be able to give his proficiency reasonably soon.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Hodges thanked MWB Yamada for his very informative report on the Grand Lodge Communication held in March. He also noted with pleasurer that the resolution submitted to hold "lost" Life Members of the lodges in some kind of "suspense file" was defeated leaving the matter as heretofore.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted for the Chairman, Bro. LaSalle.
INVESTMENT: MWB Yamada reported on the status of some of the Lodge investments and noted that the GL Consolidated Investment Committee recently reported on their investment in a ¥30,000,000 bond which appears to have only a 5% return per annum. MWB Yamada and several of the other Brethren noted that the rate of return, if correctly understood, is considerably below what it should be; even in present-day Japan where money is relatively cheap, a 5% P.A. return on a ¥30 M investment is considered too low. Far East Lodge No. 1's share of this investment is between ¥5 and ¥6,000,000. MWB Yamada recommended that the Lodge Investment Commitee meet sometime soon to discuss possible investment of lodge money directly as opposed to investing through the GL Consolidated Investment Fund. WB Hodges advised MWB Yamada that as the Chairman of the Lodge Investment Committee he should call a meeting oif the Committee at any time he desires. MWB Yamada indicated that he would gather more information and then consider calling a meeting.
HOUSE: WB Hodges reconfirmed that the only expense to the using Bodies (presently only Far East No. 1 and Lodge Star in the East No. 640) will have to bear in the future will be the cost of utilities and custodial services. Rental costs for new temporary quarters will be born by MHL. He also reported that the old temple and storeroom in rear have been totally demolished with all debris having been already removed from the lot.
BALLOTTING: With the permission of the Grand Master, MWB Onishi, the petition for restoration submitted by Bro. Robert G. Bryant and received by the Acting Secretary on 23 April 1982, was both read and then favorable ballotted on by the members present. Bro. Bryant, accordingly, has been restored to good standing in this Lodge with effective date of 2 June 1982.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: In addition to the the G/L Bulletins for March, April and May 20, 1982, the Acting Secretary read or summarized numerous pieces of correspondence, except that concerning the GL Retention Committee, requires action as such. WB Hodges reported that he was compiling the information requested by the GL Retention Committee even though he believes this will mostly be a large expenditure of effort with minimum benefit to the Craft.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Hodges took this opportunity to present WB Saburo Katagiri, our immediate PM, with several things which were being held for just such an opportunity. He was presented with the GL Diploma of Merit by MWB Onishi after which WB Hodges presented him with his PM Diploma and an album of the installation ceremonies conducted by WB Katagiri as Installing Officer in Decemeber 1981. WB Katagiri expressed his pleasure for the gifts and mementoes, thanking GM and Brethren for considering him worthy of their thoughtfulness as expressed by the gifts.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, MWB Onishi spoke briefly indicating that he considered it an honor to be able to visit Far East Lodge No. 1 as Grand Master. Being a member of this Lodge also made it more significant. He extended an invitation to the WM to make use of the new Tokyo Masonic Building for any purpose that the Lodge might need. He noted that Sagamihara Masonic Lodge No. 13 recently had conferred three third degrees on a Saturday. Sufficient advance notice will ensure the availability of suitable facilities for any Masonic purpose for which it may be needed. After thanking the Brethren for receiving him so warmly, and at the request of the WM, MWB Onishi closed the Lodge in short form at 2147 hours with MWB Onishi in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and WB Katagiri, Marshal, Acting JW in the South.
There were 7 Brethren present.
APPROVED
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
ACTING SECRETARY