The 585th 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 8th day of January 2011.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:00 hours (by Special Dispensation 39-10) with WB Inomata, WM in the East, WB Herrera, Treasurer, acting SW in the West, and WB Buda, JW in the South.
WB Inomata raised the lodge for a minute's silent prayer in memory of MWB Akira Yamaya who had passed away on 20 December 2010. After the tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother in accordance with the wishes of the Grand Master.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date and invited the dignitaries among our visitors to sit in the East.
He then announced that the order of business would be rearranged to allow Bro Yutaro Suzuki to take his Third Degree Proficiency test and then retire for the purpose of receiving and escorting MWB Johnston from Yamate Station. Bro Tsuji conducted the test in Japanese and at its conclusion WB Inomata declared Bro Suzuki fully proficient in the Third Degree and qualified to assume office in the Lodge.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of January 2011, 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 4 December and They were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of December was given by WB Herrera 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 were the reports of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: Grand Lodge Monthly Bulletin of 22 Dec. had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room and Bro Secretary reported letters of In Memoriam of MWB Yamaya, S. Dispensation 39-10, and a letter from TMA for nomination of replacement Supervisors and Counselors.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥11,588 was collected as Alms for January from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
Before calling the Lodge free from restraint for the purpose of preparing for our Installation, WB Inomata took a roll-call of Brethren who could attend our Special Meeting scheduled for 29 January 2011. He himself would be out of the country, but Bro Sagara had agreed to take the East for the conferral of the First Degree upon Mr. Yasumitsu Hoshi and Mr. Shunji Suzuki. Other work assignments were made as appropriate, only that of Junior Steward being left for further consideration.
INSTALLATION:
At 15:15 hours, the Lodge was called free from restraint in preparation for the Installation. The Ceremony started at 16:00 hours with MWB James L. Johnston as Installing Officer and MWB Watanabe as Installing Marshal, who duly installed and invested all Officers who had been elected and appointed at our December Meeting except Bro Sagara, absent on a business trip, and Bro Taniuchi, absent because of influenza.
The Installation Ceremony ended shortly after 17:00 hrs, leaving over an hour until the start of our Banquet at YC&AC. Many Brethren and their guests retired to the ground floor of the Temple to enjoy light snacks and soft drinks. WB Buda offered to remain in the Lodge Room and conduct an informal Q&A session for those visitors unfamiliar with Freemasonry or the history of Far East Lodge No. 1.
Shortly after 18:00 hrs the Brethren and their guests began to transfer to the Bay View Room of the YC&AC to enjoy a few drinks before the start of the Banquet. The buffet-style dinner being ready well before the scheduled time, WB Buda, as Master of Ceremonies, welcomed everyone to the Banquet, explained the system for ordering of extra drinks, and then invited the ladies and children to take the lead in helping themselves to food from the buffet table.
After two hours of enjoyable dining, wining and convivial conversation, the Banquet ended with the customary Masonic toasts. The traditional Tyler's Toast was given by WB Buda.
There were a total 16 MMs of this Lodge and 16 visitors from Lodges No. 2, No. 3, No. 11, No. 20, No. 22, and No. 640 under the GL of the Philippines. We counted 48 Brethren, family members and friends at the banquet.
Apologies were received from Bros Sagara, Taniuchi, Sato and Adams.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary