The 392nd 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 8th day of February 1992.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:16 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and WB Katagiri PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren (and first time visitors) as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February 1992, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the last Stated Meeting and all subseqent Special Meetings.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
Next was the Treasurers Report given by WB Hodges, PM. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Heath 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 McCauley was pleased to receive a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges read a short note from MWB Nishiyaina indicating that he continues to hope for eventual return to lodge meetings.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that all is in readiness for the banquet to follow our Installation of officers.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that he wrote Bro. Murata a letter recently urging him to return to lodge and to not let the 3ª proficiency be a worry to him.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: WB McCauley appointed WB Heath and WB Watanabe to conduct an audit of the Secretary's and Treasurer's books and report their findings to the lodge.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 01/20/92.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB McCauley thanked the brethren for carrying on at our last Stated Meeting while he was indisposed. He then announced that we will have a First Degree at our March Stated Meeting for Mr. Welsh.
NEW BUSINESS: WB McCauley then announced that the Annual Installation of Officers would be conducted today that that the installing officers would be MWB Chester L. Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, MWGLOJ and WB William "Bill" Heath, PM, GL Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1. He then declared the chairs vacant and called the lodge free from restraint until the next sound of the gavel in the East. Under the direction of MWB Ditto and WB Heath the following officers were installed in the office indicated:
Before commencing the installation ceramonies, MWB Ditto announced the death of MWB Kiyoshi Togasaki, PGM, and raised the lodge for a minute of silent prayer. After prayer, he ordered the charter draped for a period of 30 days.
At the conclusion of the installation, MWB Ditto handed the gavel to WB McCauley who spoke briefly on the preceeding year and his hope for the new year. He thanked one and all for their attendance and he especially thanked MWB Ditto and WB Heath for the beautifully done installation. He then received fraternal greetings from Yokosuka Lodge #2, Harmony Lodge #18 and Tokyo Lodge #2. Bro. Yamada, a visiting brother from the Grand Lodge of San Paulo and its Assistant Bible Bearer, presented fraternal greetiangs from both the Grand Lodge and his mother lodge and presented WB McCauley with a most beautiful plaque to commemorate his visit. WB Yamaya, Senior Grand Lecturer, GLOJ, extended fraternal greetings from MWB Kobayashi, PGM, Grand Master, and from his mother lodge. On behalf of WB Iwahama, PM, WM Tokyo Yuai lodge #11, WB Watanabe extended greetings. RWB Robinson also extended fraternal greetings. In closing, MWB Ditto, PGM, extended greetings from MWB Kobayashi, PGM, Grand Master, and made other appropriate remarks. At the request of WB McCauley, MWB Ditto then closed the lodge in due and ancient short form at 17:00 hours with WB Heath, PM, SW in the West, and WB Katagiri, PM, JW in the South.
Some 22 people then journeyed to the United Seamen's International Center where a most enjoyable repast of Steamship Round with all the trimmings was enjoyed and where MWB Ditto gave a most interesting talk on what Masonry means to him and where WB Watanabe, Immediate Past Master, was pleased to present WB McCauley with his Past Master's Apron and Jewel.
There were 14 Brethren present at the opening of the lodge of which three (3) were visitors. A total of 17 Brethren and guests were in attendance at the open installation and a total of 22 people at the banquet.
APPROVED:
JOHN A. McCAULEY, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary