The 351st 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 9th day of July 1988.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Ohashi, PM, SS, Acting JW in the South.
The WM raised the lodge for silent prayer in remembrance of Bro. John Rollins Charlesworth who died 15 May 1988. After prayer, he ordered the Charter draped for a period of 30 days.
He 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 July 1988, 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 WB Hunt 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. Lindstrom seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Ashenden was pleased to submit a negative. Bro. Lindstrom advised that he is still seeking information on a suitable charity for the lodge to support.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges reported that MWB Nishiyama is making slow but steady progress and that his health seems to be improving. MWB Nishyama advised that he hopes to be in attendance at the September stated meeting. WB Hodges also reported that Bro. Oliver's wife is still in poor health and that Bro. Oliver is unable to attend because of her illness.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: No report.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: Bro. Watanabe reported on the progress of Bro. Murata and advised that he would be contacting Bro. Yoshitake to see how he is coming along.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: No report.
AUDIT: No report.
INVESTMENT: WB Ashenden and WB Hodges reported that the Temple Trust Fund money has been invested in a 10 year Japanese Government Bond through Merrill Lynch Japan. Invested ¥5,500,000 at 5% pa (less tax) with semi annual interesT being paid on 20th day of March and September. Interest will be invested in CD's at Citibank thus maximizing the return on the money.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: WB Ashenden reported that one of the members of the investigating committee had lodged an objection against the petition of Mr. Harold Eugene Palmer Jr. therefore no ballot would be had. He directed the Secretary to return Mr. Palmer's fee.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 June 1988, two letters from the GM and an announcement from the Scottish Rite Bodies in Tokyo concerning a family Bar-B-Q planned for 26 August 1988 at 1830 hours.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: WB Ashenden called the lodge free from restraint tor the purpose of discussing the results of the Stated Meeting survey and the planned family Bar-B-Q to be sponsored by the Lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East he appointed Bro. Lindstrom to chair the Bar-B-Q committee and instructed the Secretary to prepare a new ballot for the Brethren to submit concerning the date and time of our stated meeting. Results of first ballot to be included and second ballot to attempt to identify those days and/or times which may be impossible for a Brother to attend. Since we are under no specific time constraint we will attempt to obtain all information possible so as to determine the most effective date for our stated meeting. He then brought up the matter of an official visit to Yokosuka Lodge #20. Such a visit cannot be made until September due to WB Ashenden's absence from country until 11 August 1988. The Secretary was instructed to send a letter to Yokosuka #20 to find out if we could made an official visit at their September Stated Meeting.
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 1530 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Ohashi, PM, SS, Acting JW in the South.
(There were 8 Brethren present)
APPROVED
C. R. ASHENDEN
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY