Minutes 4 December 2010

The 584th 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 4th day of December 2010.

A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:00 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and Bro Tsujii as acting JW in the South.

WB Inomata raised the lodge for a minute's silent prayer in memory of WB Yule, Member of Far East Lodge No. 1, who according to his son had passed away on February 2009. After tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.

The WM then 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 December 2010, 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 6 November and 27 November (Special Meeting) and they were APPROVED AS READ.

The Treasurer's Report for the month of October was given by the Secretary 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: None.

CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary reported that the Grand Lodge Monthly Report and approved ECM minutes of 16 October and a letter from Edward Yule had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room.

CHARITY: Amount of ¥9,940 was collected as alms for December from the Brethren present.

SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Reading of By-Laws: It being the month of December, the WM read out the required Article and Section of our By-laws forbidding discussion and solicitation before the election or nomination of lodge officers.

NEW BUSINESS:
Proficiency Test: Three brethren of this Lodge, Bros Anderson, Adams and Ishibashi, announced that they were ready to take the test. The test was conducted by Bro Tsujii in English and they demonstrated excellent memory work. The Worshipful Master declared them proficient in the Third Degree.

Election of Lodge Officers: The Election started at 15:30 hours with Bros Honda and Watanabe as tellers. The lines of new officers are as follow:

Comment: Regarding Bro Peter J. Kraker who was subject to suspension for non-progression, Bro Alawn Jordan reported that Bro Kraker had been transferred to on-board duties and that was the reason he could not attend the Lodge meetings. This situation being outside Bro Kraker's control, Brother Secretary suggested that Bro Kraker's status be frozen until his tour of duty ended, and it was so decided.

Meeting date changed: Bro Secretary announced that the first Saturday of 2011 is January 1st and that our Stated Meeting be postponed one week to 8 January 2011. As in previous years, the schedule for the Installation Ceremony for Lodge Officers and Banquet will be announced as soon as it has been finalized.

Books arrived: Bro Secretary reported that a parcel of Masonic publications had been received from Bro Ed Lawson. After the Lodge had been duly closed, the parcel was opened and the contents drew the enthusiastic attention of the Brethren present.

CLOSING: At 16:50 hours, there being no other business, WB Inomata proceeded to close the Lodge in due and ancient form.

There were a total of 18 MMs of this Lodge presents, and 3 petitioners joined our harmony.

Apologies were received from WB Buda and Bro Tamado.

APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master

ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary