Uni throws back request over spears

CAMBRIDGE university is refusing to give back Aboriginal artefacts stolen by British explorer James Cook nearly 250 years ago.

Australian Rodney Kelly wants the return of four spears on behalf of the Gweagal people who inhabited southern Sydney.

According to the university, Capt Cook took the spears after a violent first encounter with indigenous people on the shores of Botany Bay in 1770.

However, the university yesterday rejected the request stating: “Removing parts of the Cook-sandwich collection would cause considerable harm by depriving the collection of its integrity.”