The 387th 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 12th day of October 1991.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:18 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, WB Katagiri PM, (Acting) SW in the West, and WB Ohashi PM, SS, (Acting) JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel, the lodge was called up for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Brother Donelson B. Poling who passed away but date and place unknown. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days.
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 1991, 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 Otani, PM. It was moved by WB Otani and seconded by WB Watanabe PM 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 PM moved and WB Ohashi seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB McCauley was pleased to receive a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB McCauley was pleased to receive a negative.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges proposed that the lodge sponsor a Thanksgiving Dinner to be held on 29 November 1991 at the United Seamen's Service Center here in Yokohama. Cost can be held to ¥1,500-¥2,000 per person. Will be able to sit up to 100 people. WB Hodges to make all arrangements. The Brethren present concurred with the proposal and WB McCauley requested WB Hodges to proceed with planning and arrangements.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a report.
COACHING: WB Watanabe submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: None required.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges reported that the sum of ¥17M has been invested in a 3 month TD at Citibank at an annual interest rate of 6.25%. WB McCauley requested that arrangements be made to have Merrill Lynch Investment Counselor visit us at 1230 hours on 11/09/91 for the purpose of discussiong long range investment goals. Providing suitable arrangements are made notification of this meeting is to be included in the summons for our November meeting.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 Sep 1991 and portions of a letter from WB Ashenden.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Hodges reported that our date of intallation has been changed to 08 February 1992 at the request of the GM. He also reported that MWB Ditto has agreed to be our Installing Officer and it has been suggested that either WB Heath or WB McCauley be the Installing Marshal.
NEW BUSINESS: WB McCauley announced that we would confer the Second degree on Bro. Takumi Masaki. At the sound of the gavel the lodge was lowered to the 2º. Bro. Masaki was obligated as a Fellowcraft Mason by WB Ohashi, with WB Hodges in the West and WB Katagiri in the South. WB Watanabe conducted Bro. Masaki and gave the Staircase Lecture, Working Tools, and Letter "G" Lecture. WB Katagiri delivered the Charge. Upon completion of the degree work the lodge was called briefly free from restraint and Bro. Masaki was congratulated by the Brethren on being passed. Bro. Masaki was conducted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel the lodge was raised to the third degree.
WB McCauley then read Article II Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution of the MWGLOJ.
WB Katagiri congratulated the Degree Team of WB McCauley, WB Watanabe and WB Ohashi for a very well done Japanese/English Second Degree. To that, WB McCauley added his special thanks to WB Watanabe and WB Ohashi for their hard work and very fine performance.
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 17:13 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, WB Katagiri PM, (Acting) SW in the West, and WB Ohashi PM, SS, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 8 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
C. R. ASHENDEN, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary