The 496th stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No.1, F.& A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 9th day of March 2002.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1405 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM in the East, RWB Katagiri, JGW, SW (Acting) in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW in the South.
MWB Heath then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tyler's register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of March 2002, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last stated meeting. The Secretary, acting, read the minutes and they were approved as read.
The Treasurer's report was given by MWB Watanabe, PGM, after which he moved and WB Sugai seconded the motion that the Tresurer's report be accepted as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary, acting, reported that there were no bills for the month.
Next was the report of the several committees. All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
COACHING: MWB Watanabe reported that Brother Yokozawa, EA, prefers Short Form Proficiency in English.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: The party of the Grand Lodge of China is due to arrive on March 14th pm. The entertaining dinner is to be served at the Seamen's Club.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Masonic Hall Limited proposed a loan of 1OMM to the Lodge in order to cover a shortage in the cash flow for the purpose of proceeding with the construction of the new Masonic temple. The proposal involves 2.4% interest per year. The period of the loan is not to exceed five years. RWB Katagiri moved to accept the offer which was seconded by MWB Watanabe. MOTION CARRIED.
MWB Heath informed that it is possible there would be a 2nd degree conferral in April, and instrcted that. the obligation and other portions of the Ritual in the conferral will be both English and Japanese for better understanding of the candidate.
The Secretary, acting, was instructed to take effective measures to remind the Brethren as to the change of the day of the Stated Meeting from 2nd Saturday to the 1st from April, if the approval received from the Grand Lodge.
After confirming that there was no further business in the West, South, Secretary's table and on the floor, MWB Heath closed the lodge in due form at 1520 hours, with RWB Katagiri, SW (acting) in the West and WB Sugai, PM, JW in the South. There were 7 members present at the meeting.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
SABURO KATAGIRI, SGW
Acting Secretary