The 309th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 31, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 10th day of December 1983.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1435 hours with Bro. Otani, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, MA, (Acting) SW in the West, and WB Nakano, PM, SD, (Acting) JW in the South.
Bro. Otani called the Lodge up for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Brothers Bruce L. Kelly and Karl S. Harris, who passed away on 09/03/82 and 09/27/83 respectively.
After which 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 1983, 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 Hodges 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: Brother Otani submitted a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges gladly reported a negative, noting that MWB Yamada is back in Lodge and reporting that his recent tour in the hospital proved that all is well. For that we are most grateful!
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Ohashi submitted a negative.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that preliminary indications are that the Brethren desire BOTH the FT's and the Masonic Shimbun. Accordingly, he intends to publish another issue of the FT's in late January or early February 1984. He also reported that a few Brethren have sent donations to help offset the cost of postage.
COACHING: MWB Yamada submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Nishiyama submitted a negative.
AUDIT: Bro. Otani submitted a negative.
INVESTMENT: MWB Yamada submitted a negative.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: WB Hodges indicated "No Ballotting".
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary advised that we have no petitions to be read.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read Special Dispensation #48-83 and other GL correspondence including the GL Bulletin of November 20, 1983. He also read an invitation to the Installation and Banguet for Lodge Star in the East No. 640 S.C. He indicated that other correspondence from the Brethren would be held for reading at future meetings. WB Hodges also pointed out that the PM Apron and Jewel is not presented automatically to the outgoing WM. The Lodge must vote approval for such action. He the reported that two brethren, Edward L. Edwards and David D. Jones, will be suspended for NPD on 31 December 1983 unless their dues are received by that date.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Acting WM requested WB Hodges read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a, and 100b of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East, the following Brethren were elected to and accepted the position indicated for the ensuing Masonic year:
After a brief recess, Bro. Otani made the following appointments for the ensuing Masonic year:
The following named Brethren were appointed to the Audit Committee:
The WM announced that the installation of officers will be held on 04 February 1984 at 1700 hours and that MWB Yamada, PGM and WB Tommy Brown, GLOJ Inspector, will be the installing officers. Installation will be held at the Masonic Temple and will be public.
MWB Nishlyama then announced that he would like to donate his Past Master's Apron and Jewel for presentation to WB LaSalle. MWB Yamada moved and MWB Nishiyama seconded a motion that the lodge pay for having WB LaSalle's name and year in office engraved on the jewel. MOTION CARRIED
Bro. Otani reminded the Brethren that the January Stated Meeting will be held on 14 January 1984 at 1400 hours in accordance with the GM's approval. MWB Nishiyama then moved and WB Hodges seconded a motion that the January 1984 Stated Meeting be held at 1300 hours vice 1400 hours to permit those who wish to attend any of the three installations scheduled for that date may do. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary was instructed to seek the Grand Master's Dispensation to change the hour as indicated.
WB Hodges then requested permission to have MWB Yamada provide him with a check for the annual Grand Lodge Head Tax upon completion of the annual report early in January 1984. WB Hodges did not want to wait until the January 84 Stated Meeting to obtain this check as it desirable to send it with the lodge's annual report which is due at Grand Lodge NLT 15 January 1984. WB(E) Otani approved the request.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1615 hours with Bro. Otani, SW, (Acting) WM in the East, Bro. Ohashi, MA. (Acting) SW in the West, and WB Nakano, PM, SD, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 8 Brethren present)
APPROVED
KATSUHIKO OTANI
for WILLIAM J. LASALLE
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY