The 299th 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 15th day of December 1982.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 2040 hours with WB Hodges, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and Bro. Ohashi, CH, 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 December 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 Bro. Moore 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 Bro. Moore seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative.
REFRESHMENT/ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges extended his personal thanks and the thanks of the lodge to Brothers Otani and Moore for their fine work which made the Grand Master's Chinese Dinner such a fine success.
FRIENDLY TIPS: Negative.
COACHING: Negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Negative.
AUDIT: Negative.
INVESTMENT: Negative.
HOUSE: Negative.
BALLOTTING: Negative.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: Negative.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the GL Bulletins for October and November 1982, together with several other pieces of other correspondence from GL, members of this lodge and from sister lodges.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge were read by the WM.
IAW Article 123c of the Constitution of the GL the Acting Secretary then read the names of those Brethren who will be suspended for NPD on 01 January 1983 if at least their 1981 dues shall not have been received by 2400 hours 31 December 1982 as follows:
The Acting Secretary then reported that a total of 4 Brethren are in arrears for their 1982 dues as follows:
NEW BUSINESS: Bro. Moore moved and MWB Yamada seconded a motion the the Lodge By-Laws be formally amended to reflect an increase in dues from ¥4,500 per annum to ¥5,000 per annum. MOTION CARRIED
The Acting Secretary indicated that he would proceed with the paperwork necessary to change the By-Laws as approved herein.
Annual Elections were then held and the following Brethren were elected to the position indicated:
The WM then directed that no appointative positions are to be filled until the WM Elect and his Corps of Officers have had the opportunity to make such appoinments. He also said that the date and place of installation will be announced only after he has the opportunity to discuss the matter with Bro. LaSalle, WM Elect.
WB Hodges then read a letter from WB Myron G. Bettencourt, PM, dated November 26, 1982 which submits proposed changes/amendments to the Constitution and Code of the Grand Lodge of Japan. He provided copies of WB Bettencourt's letter to all those present and requested the Brethren to study the proposed changes carefully and to be prepared to discuss the matter at the January 1983 Stated Meeting with the view of adopting the proposed changes and submitting them to Grand Lodge in the name of this lodge.
The WM then announced that being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 2225 hours with WB Hodges, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Otani, JW, Acting SW in the West, and Bro. Ohashi, CH, Acting JW in the South.
There were 6 Brethren present.
APPROVED
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
ACTING SECRETARY