The 506th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. &A.M. was held at the new Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 1st day of March 2003.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, MWB Watanabe, PGM, Acting SW in the West, and RWB Katagiri, SGW, Acting JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of prayer in remembrance of Brother Michael Halliday who passed to the Celestial Lodge in February 2003. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM 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 2003, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The WM read the minutes and they were approved as read.
The Treasurer then gave his report for the month of January after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Acting Secretary then read the bills for the period and moved they be paid. After being seconded, the MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: Bro Johnson volunteered to bring the refreshment to next month’s meeting. The Brethren warmly welcomed his offer.
COACHING: MWB Watanabe reported that Brother Yokozawa is still not ready to give his first degree proficiency and that he was unable to attend today due to having a business trip to New York.
AUDIT: MWB Heath appointed RWB Katagiri and Bro Buda to audit the lodge books and to submit their report as soon as possible.
INVESTMENT: MWB Heath specifically requested RWB Katagiri and Bro Buda to determine the current situation of the ¥7.5M investment made 5 years ago.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Discussions were then had on the proposed Resolutions that will be acted on at the Grand Lodge Annual Communication on 14 March 2003. After sufficient discussion, the Brethren voted to instruct the representative from this lodge to vote as follows:
| RESOLUTION NUMBER | CONCLUSION |
| 2003-1 | Favorable |
| 2003-2 | Favorable |
| 2003-3 | Unfavorable. Deletion of Article 72 is not desirable. |
| 2003-4 | Unfavorable. Wrong paragraph number used in proposed Section 9. |
| 2003-5 | Favorable |
| 2003-6 | Favorable |
| 2003-7 | Favorable |
NEW BUSINESS: MWB Heath announced that none of the pillars of the lodge would be able to attend Grand Lodge Communication. After receiving his concurrence, it was moved and seconded that MWB Watanabe be appointed to represent the lodge. MOTION CARRIED. Letter notifying Grand Lodge to be hand carried by MWB Watanabe.
Regrets were received from WB Hodges, WB Sugai, WB Masaki, WB Herrera and Bro Miyata.
As there was nothing further to come before the lodge, MWB Heath closed the lodge in short form at 1640 hours with MWB Watanabe, PGM, Acting SW in the West and RWB Katagiri, SGW, Acting JW in the South. There were 6 members present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
SABURO KATAGIRI, SGW
Acting Secretary