I have to agree "return" is not an appropriate word at all. Yes I agree with you Janine, I doubt there would be a person who received their education in Australia who would not know who Matthew Flinders was. He probably has equal status in the history books with Captain Cook. It would be a lovely gesture to loan it to us especially during the forthcoming celebrations. Perhaps the real purpose of the petition is to bring attention to this map and to get the archives to loan it to us for the occasion ... I am a little prone to cynicism. :) Regards Lyn In Oz. > -----Original Message----- > From: bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf > Of Janine Gall > Sent: Sunday, 30 January 2011 8:41 AM > To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [B&S] Australia calls for return of historic map > -- this isSomerset article > > > Hi Josephine, > > Matthew Flinders featured heavily in my school history > lessons. particularly because he proved Van Diemen's Land was > an island.I can remember making posters with badly drawn > pictures of Bass and Flinders in their small boat. My mother > in law was born on Flinders Island. > The map is an important historical document, particuarly for > Australians.but does this give us the right to it? I don't > think so, but it would be a nice gesture to loan it to the > country that appreciates it's importance rather than have it > languish unappreciated in storage. > > regards Janine > >