The Last Stand.

Falling back along the Kaokaoroa, the East Coast warriors made their final stand at the Puakowhai Stream, which we cross about a mile and a half before the Matata station is reached. It flows down from a tree-shadowed cut in the cliffs and winds out among the little sand-dunes. Small plantations of maize and kumara fringe the watercourse. About four hundred of the enemy resisted the Arawa advance here, taking cover under the low bank; others crouched in reserve.

The Ngati-Awa (from Whakatane) and the Opotiki warriors fired heavy volleys from their double-barreled guns, but the Arawa, advancing in quick rushes after the volleys, got up within thirty feet of them.