The return of the All Blacks to Auckland on Tuesday March 6, 1906 (as titled and described by The Auckland Weekly News, March 8, 1906).
The reception at the Devonport Ferry Company Wharf, Lower Queen Street as the original All Blacks, captained by Dave Gallaher, are led off the ferry steamer Eagle by the Premier Richard Seddon. The team in white hats shake the hands of the ferry captain and the ferry officers as they disembark to a packed reception committee. They are then seen arriving by open coach at the public reception at Philson’s Square. The All Blacks had completed what was described at the time as “the most wonderful football tour in history”.
The Auckland Weekly News reported “between September 16 and December 30 the New Zealanders played the strongest and best combinations in the Motherland and worsted all save one”. They won 32 out of 33 games, scored 830 points to 39. 103 goals to 6, 109 tries to 5. The one lost match to Wales (0-3) has become the subject of legend as to whether Dean’s try, which was disallowed by the referee, was scored or not.
Films of the All Blacks in Great Britain were drawcards for the travelling film and vaudeville shows in 1906. This film was first shown by the Australian firm of J & N Tait at the Wellington Town Hall on March 26,1906 on the final 2 nights of their Living London Series. It was advertised as showing a panorama of boats and warships to meet the RMS Sonoma, followed by the transfer of the team to the ferry boats, the crowd on the wharf, the reception at the wharf and the arrival of brakes (carriages) at the reception ground.
WS of the stern of RMS Sonoma in the Auckland harbour with heads of the crowd in foreground.
MS Premier RJ Seddon descending gangway of harbour ferry “Eagle” followed by officials and ‘All Blacks’, many wearing white hats - one carries furled banner of the Silver Fern - Each shakes hands with the ferry captain and ship’s officers as they disembark. During the farewells one of the ship’s officers becomes aware of the camera and points it out to the captain - Clouds of tobacco smoke rise from crowd on wharf. Cooks, stewards and crew standing at railing.
‘It was getting on for 4 o’clock when the team was landed at at the Devonport Ferry Company’s wharf to the strains of ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’ and the accompaniment of roaring cheering’.
MS Seddon moving through the packed crowd on the wharf, doffs his hat in acknowledgement to a greeting. Footballers’ white hats seen in the crowd as baggage is carried off. Magnificent women’s hats in the foreground.
MS Brass band marching ahead of teams and officials riding on 2 open coaches or ‘brakes’ - Police on horses control crowd - teams and officials descend from coaches for official reception at Philson’s Square.
What followed was reported in the Auckland Weekly News 8 Mar 1906 : [At the reception they are welcomed by the mayor of Auckland and the Premier]. Gallaher, who spoke after Mr. Dixon the team manager, replied that he had only one piece of advice ‘ and that was to play the Welshmen first’.
The touring team members were:
J. Corbett, W. Johnston, W. Cunningham, F. Newton, G. Nicholson, C. Seeling,
J. O’Sullivan, A. McDonald, D. McGregor, J. Duncan, E. Harper, W.J. Wallace, J.W. Stead (Vice Captain),
G. H. Dixon (Manager), D. Gallaher (Captain), J. Hunter, G. Gillett, F. Glasgow, W. Mackrell, S. Casey, H.J. Abbott,
G.W. Smith, F. Roberts, H.D. Thomson, H.J. Mynott, E.E. Booth, G. Tyler, R.G. Deans, W.S. Glenn.