The 358th 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 18th day of February 1989.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1431 hours with WB Ashenden, PM, WM in the East, WB Watanabe, SW in the West, and Bro. McCauley, 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 February 1989, 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 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.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges reported that WB Otani called this A.M. to advise that he would be unable to attend lodge today as he is in the Tokyo Medical Hospital, Room 1753 West (TEL (03) 342-6111) with a stomach problem. He expects to remain in the hospital for as much as 60 days more. WB Ashenden requested MWB Nishiyama to obtain details of WB Otani's problem and to report ASAP.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges gave an account of the Installation Banquet after which WB Ashenden indicated that future social functions involving the necessity to commit a specific number of attendees would require confirmation of all the Brethren who might attend. Such confirmation should preclude the lodge from ever obligating itself in the future.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported he is working on a mailing of literature to the Brethren for later this month or early next month and requested WB Ashenden to provide a message for the Brethren "From the East". WB Ashenden acknowledged the request and advised that he would provide as quickly as possible.
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that he has no current knowledge of Bro. Murata's progress on the 2nd degree proficiency as Bro. Murata is out of town. MWB Nishiyama reported on Bro. Jun's situation. WB Ashenden requested WB Watanabe to make all arrangements to raise Bro. Jun in the latter part of March. The degree to be done entirely in Japanese and assistance to be requested from Harmony No 18 and Tokyo Yuai 11.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Bro. McCauley gave a status report on his progress to produce a lodge history for 1988. He indicated that all is going well and that he expects to collect the final data today.
AUDIT: None required.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges presented the statement of account provided by GL on the interest earned in 1988 by our Consolidated Investment Fund Investments.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read two letters from the GL concerning donations to the GL Library and the February meeting of the Executive Committee and the Masonic Workshop. He then read a letter from Bro. Eugene E. Cartwright, the only living Charter member of the lodge. WB Ashenden asked WB Watanabe and Bro. McCauley to check on the availability of a 10x seeing device with a wider field of vision than the 1/2 inch being used by Bro. Cartwright. Findings to be reported at the next meeting if possible.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Ashenden scheduled the raising of Bro. Jun Nishiyama for the latter half of March, Bro. Yoshitake for April and Bro. Murata for May.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Ashenden reminded the Brethren especially the Pillars that the Grand Lodge Communication will be held next month. Any information that may be received from Grand Lodge prior to our next stated meeting will be brought before the lodge for review and decision with the Brethren indicating how they want their delegation to vote on any matter that is known will be brought before GL. He then spoke briefly on the annual schedule of events and advised that certain Brethren will be requested to oversee the planned social functions and that he will advise more on this next month.
Bra Vaughn advised that he intends to present a Japanese Sword to the lodge to be used as the proper implement by the Tiler. He hopes to be able to make the presentation at the next stated meeting but will definitely present it before he departs for the States and retirement in September of this year. WB Ashenden thanked Bro. Vaughn for his generosity and advised that he would be most pleased to receive the planned gift.
WB Ashenden then thanked Bro. McCauley for his very special gift of "refreshment" now properly housed in the lodge refrigerator.
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 1550 hours with WB Ashenden, PM, WM in the East, WB Watanabe, SW in the West, and Bro. McCauley, JW in the South.
(There were 7 Brethren present)
APPROVED
C. R. ASHENDEN, PM
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY