The 433rd 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 10th day of February 1996.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:10 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Masaki, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Bros. Eugene Ewing CARTWRIGHT and WB Tadashi OHASHI, PM, who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 01/05/96 and 01/21/96 respectively. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 60 days in honor of our departed Brethren.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February 1996, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and any subsequent Special Meetings. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by WB Hodges, PM. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Katagiri, 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 Bro. Warnell moved and WB Hodges seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Welsh was pleased to submit a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Katagiri advised that he and Bro. Masaki attended the wake and funeral for WB Ohashi. He also confirmed that he had written a letter to the widow of Bro. Reck advising her of our desire to provide assistance should she require same. WB Welsh advised that assistance was being provided to Mrs. Reck in obtaining Life Insurance and other Benefits that she may be entitled.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: No report.
FRIENDLY TIPS: No report.
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that Bro. Onoda is still working on his proficiency with the hope of being ready at our March meeting.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: No report.
AUDIT: WB Hodges suggested that the WM appoint an Auditor to review the financial books for the year of 1995.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges gave a summary of financial status at the end of 1995 and pointed out that 1996 will see a drastic drop in lodge income due to the current amount of interest being paid in Japan. He informed the Brethren that the 1995 Financial Report will be published and mailed with the Summons for the March meeting and encouraged the Brethren to pay close attention to its contents.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: A favorable ballot was cast by the Brethren on the petition for Dual Membership in this lodge submitted by Bro. Robert A. Montgomery.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the Grand Lodge Bulletin of 20 January 1996 and summarized a letter from Harmony #18 advising of their Installation of Officers. WB Welsh directed that the balance of the correspondence, which concerns matters to be taken up at the Grand Lodge Communication, be distributed to the Brethren with the March Summons and that any discussion necessary will be done at that meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Welsh appointed WB Katagiri as Junior Steward for the ensuing Masonic year.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge was called free from restraint for the purpose of installing the officers of the lodge for the ensuing Masonic year. MWB Chester L. Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, was the Installing Officer and RWB Heath, JGW, was the Installing Marshal. RWB Fullerton, SGD, acted as the Chaplain. The following named Brethren were installed/reinstalled in the office indicated:
After appropriate remarks by WB Welsh and others, the gavel was returned to MWB Ditto who closed the lodge in short form after extending MWB Yamaya's regrets for being ur able to attend our installation. The lodge was closed in due form at 1615 hours with MWB Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, in the East, Bro. Warnell, SW in the West and Bro. Masaki, JW in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present of which 3 were visitors and two members not yet MMs.
APPROVED:
HENRY W. WELSH III
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Acting Secretary