The 546th 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 2nd day of June 2007.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, PGM, acting JW in the South.
WB Masaki called the Brethren up for a moment of silence in remembrance of Bro Gerald Hudson of this Lodge who was summoned to the Celestial Lodge above on 25 June 2004. The WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
Then WB Masaki recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of June 2007, 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 our Monthly Meeting held on 12th May and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave the report for the month of May and 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: None.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. TAMADO, Yasushi. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins and Minutes of the GLECM of 20 May were tacked on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also introduced a letter from GM about Euclid Lodge UD and a Semi-annual Report from Eagle Star Investment. About 8.8 milion yen was cash in value on 30 April 2007.
CHARITY: The amount of ¥5,800+$2.00 was collected from the brethren present.
Conferral Schedule: We will initiate Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Tamado at our July Meeting. The Secretary proposed to the brethren that he would like to pass Bro Tei and Bro Tatara at a Special Meeting during this month of June. WBro Masaki, Master of the Lodge, ordered the Secretary to arrange the date of the Special Meeting.
50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY: WBro Robert Wong will celebrate his 50 years anniversary on June 19 and a letter, pin and check were ready to be posted, the Secretary reported.
THIRD PROFICIENCY TEST: Bro Honda announced that he was ready for his MM’s test and was examined by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the Third Degree.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
EA LODGE OPENED: At 14:15 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of initiating Mr. Komura and Mr. Taniuchi. At 14:35 hours, the first degree conferral started with three distinct knocks by the above-mentioned candidates and they were admitted into the Lodge and Obligated EAs by WB Masaki. The Apron Lecture was given by MWB Watanabe and the Working Tool Lecture by Bro Tsujii, both in Japanese.
At 15:20 hours, the Lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated brethren. The Degree Lecture was postponed to the July meeting due to the lecturer’s absence. During the informal lunch before the start of the Stated Meeting for June, MWB Katagiri reported that he was feeling a little feverish and was persuaded to return home and take it easy.
CLOSING: At 15:40 hours, the Lodge resumed labor in the Third Degree and the WM announced he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:05 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, PGM, acting JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Mikuni, Wachi, Herrera, Inomata, Tei, Takeda and Sneathern.
There were 12 brethren (including two EAs), two petitioners and one candidate during Harmony.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary