Thomas McDonnell needed to be told of the location of Te Kooti and his force, but Carkeek could not find a Māori willing to go thirty miles through the bush to McDonnell at Tapapa.

They started at daylight on the 8th, and arrived at Tapapa about 3 pm, after traversing dense bush where they were in constant danger of attack.

[1] Carkeek later worked as an engineer and land surveyor based in Ōtaki.

[1] He died on 24 May 1897 in Wairau Hospital, Blenheim,[1] aged 54 years.

He was buried at Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim, with military and Masonic ceremony.