The 342nd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 17th day of October 1987.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1820 hours with WB Ohashi, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Hunt, PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
After receiving WB Heath, PM, GLI, with Grand Honors, 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 October 1987, 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 WB Hodges. It was moved by WB Hodges 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 WB Hodges moved and MWB Nishiyama, PGM, seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Ohashi was pleased to submit a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges was pleased to submit a negative.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges gave a brief report on the installation banquet.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that a newsletter has been mailed to the Brethren giving the current status of the lodge.
COACHING: MWB Nishiyama reported that Bro. Jun Nishiyama is progressing satisfactorily and may be ready to give his 2nd Degree proficiency next month.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: MWB Nishiyama submitted a negative.
AUDIT: WB Hodges reported that the books balance but that the status of uninvested funds held by Grand Lodge has still not been resolved.
INVESTMENT: With regard to the uninvested funds at Grand Lodge, WB Heath was requested to try to determine status and to advise us of his findings. He agreed to do so. WB Hodges reported that the Temple Trust Fund currently has in excess of ¥1,600,000 in cash in the Citibank which needs to be invested. WB Ohashi was requested to investigate potential investments and to report at the November stated meeting.
HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that the storage shed has been purchased and erected. Thanks to Bro. Hamada of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, it cost only ¥90,000 rather than the ¥123,000 originally programmed. Our share will be ¥30,000 vice the ¥42,800 we expected.
BALLOTTING: By secret ballot Bro. John A. McCauley was elected a Dual Member and Mr. Michial E. Lindstrom was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 September 1987 and other correspondence as appropriate.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Ohashi designated WB Hodges to read Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution and Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws. After which the WM lowered the lodge to the 1st Degree for the purpose of initiating Mr. Masahiro Yoshitake who, at our last stated meeting was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge. Mr. Yoshitake was obligated as an EA Mason with WB Ohashi, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West and MWB Nishiyama, PGM, CH, Acting JW in the South. WB Iwahama conducted the Candidate during the ceremony, delivered the Apron Lecture and the EA Lecture. Bro. Watanabe gave the Working Tools and WB Ohashi delivered the Charge. Upon completion of the degree and after congratulations by the Brethren present, Bro. Yoshitake was conducted from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, labors in this lodge of EA's was closed and a lodge of MM's resumed.
WB Ohashi then announced that the 1st Degree of Masonry would be conferred on Mr. Michial E. Lindstrom at the November 1987 stated meeting. WB Hodges volunteered to conduct the degree from the East.
WB Iwahama was thanked and given a warm round of applause for his beautiful work this evening.
Apologies were conveyed by Bro. Ashenden for our newly elected member, Bro. McCauley.
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 2206 hours with WB Ohashi, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Hunt, PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
(There were 8 Brethren present)
APPROVED
T. OHASHI, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY