MAUDE, THOMAS WILLIAM (1832-1905) was born at Langham Hall, Essex, the son of the Rev Thomas Maude, Hasketon Rectory, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Educated at Winchester College and Balliol, Oxford, where he graduated M.A., he came to New Zealand in the Royal Stuart in Jan 1855. Maude was engaged in sheepfarming for a year or two at Mount Thomas, which he and a brother leased from J. T. Brown. They also had a place at Burke's Pass.

In 1857 he gave up farming and accepted a post in the customs at Lyttelton, under W. I. W. Hamilton. In the following year he was appointed clerk to the resident magistrate's court at Christchurch (the magistrate being John Hall). In due time this post had attached to it the duties of registrar of electors and deputy-sheriff for Canterbury. Later he became chief clerk in the provincial secretary's office and keeper of the provincial records. In 1861 Maude was elected to the Provincial Council for Ashley, which he represented until 1862. He represented Sefton 1862-66, and Heathcote 1866-67. Shortly after his first appearance in the Council, he became a member of the executive, under the presidency of Wilkin, and later of Case. He was twice in office in 1866, under Stewart. He retired from the Council in 1867, when he accepted office under the General Government as deputy-registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, registrar of electors and returning officer. He was an ideal official. The Lyttelton Times said in 1862 that he was very young for the position he held, but had a grave disposition, a good-tempered face, and a mild, obliging manner. He was not then a striking speaker.

In 1860, as sheriff, Maude called the meeting at which Moorhouse propounded his tunnel proposals and had them overwhelmingly approved. In 1867 he was appointed receiver of land revenue and a commissioner and treasurer of the waste lands board; in 1868 registrar of deeds, and coroner; and in 1871 deputy-commissioner of stamps. When the portfolio of Resident Minister in the Middle Island was created Maude was appointed under-secretary (Reeves being the first Minister), and he held the post until it was abolished. In 1872 he was again elected to the Provincial Council for Rangiora (1873-76), and he was a member of the Montgomery executive as secretary of public works (1874-76).

On the abolition of the provinces Maude was employed by the Public Works department as land purchase officer, and entrusted with the purchase of all private lands necessary for the construction of railways north and south from Christchurch. In 1876 he took advantage of a visit to England to read at Lincoln's Inn, and was duly called to the bar. In 1880 he was admitted to the New Zealand bar, and he joined the firm of Harper and Co. He was the only person in New Zealand who was at that time both a barrister and solicitor and a justice of the peace.

Maude was a fellow of Christ's College. He was a nominated member of the board of governors of Canterbury College (1873-76), and an elected member (1882-93). For nine years he was a member of the North Canterbury education board. In the Church of England he was a member of the Cathedral chapter and for some time chancellor of the diocese, a member of the diocesan and general synods and chairman of committees of both bodies.

For a quarter of a century Maude was one of the proprietors of the Lyttelton Times, having entered into partnership with Reeves and Hamilton when Bowen sold his interest. For many years he was director of the company which afterwards purchased the paper. Maude married (1861) a daughter (d. 1904) of J. T. Brown (Mt Thomas). He died on 5 Apr 1905.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Christchurch Star-Sun, 11, 12 Jul 1935 (p); The Press, 6 Apr 1905, 19 Jul 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 40

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