The 536th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 1st day of July 2006.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and WB Buda, PM, JW, in the South.
The Worshipful Master, prior to the start of business, announced the death of Bro Harold G. Eberhart and a moment of silence was observed in memory of our departed Brother. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of July 2006, 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 of the Monthly Meeting held on 3rd June and the Special Meeting held on 17th June and both were approved as read.
The Secretary as Acting Treasurer due to the Treasure’s absence gave the report for the month of June, after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period after which he moved and it was seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Takeshi Noma of General Amusement Co., Ltd., Tokyo.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Koji Konno. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by ballot of the member present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that both the G/L Bulletin of 20 May and the Minutes of the GLEC meeting had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also introduced a letter from Mrs. Victoria Eberhart in which she informed us of her husband’s passing away, and a thank-you letter from the Chairman of the Children Festival Committee for our donation.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥3,300 + $10.25 was collected from the Brethren present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: White Leather Apron: WM apologized that he did not have time to work on it since he had been out of the country for the whole of last month because of his duties. He promised that he would order them right after this meeting.
INVESTMENT: WB Buda reported briefly on his study of our investment with Eagle Star. He will continue monitoring the situation and will report.
NEW BUSINESS: WM brought up and spoke on the subject of the Secretary’s honorarium and made a motion that the current ¥20,000 honorarium be raised to ¥30,000. It was seconded and approved by unanimous vote. MOTION CARRIED.
FIRST DEGREE PROFICIENCY TEST: At 14:20 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Yoshiki Takeda and Bro Hiroki Mikuni. The Junior Deacon invited them into the Lodge, they were placed west of Altar, and examined one at a time by MWB Watanabe. The WM declared them proficient in the First Degree.
PASSING: At 14:50 hours, the lodge was resumed to the Second Degree for the purpose of conferring the FC degree upon Bro Yoshiki Takeda, Bro Takashi Tsujii and Bro Hiroki Mikuni (Special Dispensation 11-06 had been received from GL).
By three distinct knocks on the door at around 15:15 the three Brethren were admitted into the Lodge and obligated FCs by MWB Watanabe in Japanese. Bro Sagara gave the Working Tool Lecture. At about 15:55, the Second Section was started and the Staircase Lecture given by MWB Watanabe. The G Lecture was given by WB Masaki, and the Charge delivered by MWB Watanabe. All the lectures were conducted in Japanese.
At 16:35, the Lodge was called free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly passed Brethren. The Lodge was then resumed back up to the Third Degree for closing.
The Master of the Lodge announced he would proceed to close in short form at 16:50. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:55 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and WB Bro Buda, PM, JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from MWB Katagiri, Bro Miyata and Bro Tsuruyiannis.
There were 7 brethren plus four EAs and one visitor. Before the meeting started, one petitioner and four potential candidates attended the harmony.APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary