The 408th 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 October 1993.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1427 hours with WB Heath, PM, WM in the East, WB Watanabe, PM, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, WB Otani PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
The WM (then) recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 1993, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our 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, PM. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Watanabe 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 WB Watanabe seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Heath was pleased to receive a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Heath was pleased to receive a negative.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Onbehalf of WB Katagiri Bro. Masaki reported on the results of our first Community Relations luncheon WB Heath was pleased to prounce it a success and indicated that activities of this nature should become a permanent part of our annual schedule. He thanked WB Katagiri and Bro. Masaki for making the arrangements and following through on this function.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that he has received the latest edition of the Mini-Shimbun and will be mailing it out soon.
COACHING: Nothing to report.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Heath submitted a negative.
AUDIT: No report required.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges advised that he now possess the Japanese Government Bonds that was being held by Merrell Lynch and that WB Katagri is looking for a place to deposit them for safe keeping.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: Demits were granted to Bros. John Risser Stickle and James Floyd Phillips. Bro. Ralph Holt Merritt was reinstated as an active member of this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: In addition to the monthly Grand Lodge bulletins for July thru September 1993, the Secretary read two letters from Grand Lodge pertaining to publications for non-Masons and illness of a Brother or family member. He also read an extract from a letter from Bro. Lindstrom.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: At the instructions of WB Heath WB Hodges read Article II Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Watanabe advised that MWB Ditto probably will not be available to conduct our Annual Installation of officers and that we should request another person quickly. After some discussion it was decided to ask RWB Yamaya, DGM, be requested to install our officers. WB Watanabe will approach RWB Yamaya and let us know his answer next month.
Apologies were received from WB Katagiri, WB Spiwak, and Bro. Welsh. Bro. Ed Lawson visiting Japan for the first time in 7 years then spoke elequently about his days in Japan, what Far East Lodge #1 means to him and about MWB Nishiyama, PGM, in particular. He presented a number of momentos to Bro. Taku Nishiyama, one of the sons of MWB Nishiyama. Bro. Lawson closed his remarks with the hope that the lodge will prosper and grow in the coming years. WB Heath responded with appropriate remarks and took the opportunity to thank Bro. Taku and WB Otani for joining us today. It is well understood that both Brethren had to travel a considerable distance to be here. He also thanked Bro. Lawson for his visit and remarks, noting that it is not every meeting we have a Brother from Connecticut sitting in lodge.
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 1628 hours with WB Heath, PM, WM in the East, WB Watanabe, PM, JW, (Acting) SW in the West, WB Otani PM, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 7 Brethren present of which 0 were visitors.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary