In late 1862 it was reported that a store was to be erected at Maude and that "a numerously signed petition" had been forwarded to the Minister of Lands "requesting that some land may be at once put up for sale at Maude, as some parties are desirous of settling there".  The writer was somewhat puzzled by this: in addition to the locality being "sometimes encircled with flooded ground" he claimed that the "amount of traffic passing is very small indeed, and there is no immediate prospect of any increase".  The correspondent concluded: "There however seems to be no reason why the Government should not offer some land for sale at Maude, and so afford persons an opportunity of settling down there and making their fortunes if they can".