O.B.E. For Outstanding
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
Cook Islander
Mr. Araitia Tepuretu, a Raroton gan, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Civil Division. He received the award in the New Year's Honours List.
Mr. Tepuretu, aged 74, holds "mataiapo" (sub-chief) rank and is the president of the Kotou Nui, an organisation of land-owning nobi lity. He served with the New Zea land Army in World War I and was badly wounded in France.
He was president of the Cook Islands Returned Servicemens' As sociation for 26 years.
Mr. Tepuretu introduced soccer football to Rarotonga in 1912, and later, Rugby football and lawn tennis. In 1963, he went to Fiji as manager of .he Cook Islands team at the First South Pacific Games.
He was president of the Raro tonga Sports Association for 12 years, a deacon of the London Mis sionary Society Church for 25 years, member of Rarotonga's Church Council for 25 years, and as sembly member of the Cook Islands Christian Church for 15 years. He has donated land to the Govern ment for roads and other essential public amenities.