MAITLAND

maitland, east and west, adjoining municipalities in northumberland county, new south wales, australia, 120 m. by rail n. of sydney. pop. (1901), west maitland, 6798; east maitland, 3287. these towns are situated in a valley on the hunter river, which is liable to sudden floods, to guard against which the river is protected by stone embankments at west maitland, while there are flood-gates at east maitland. maitland is the centre of the rich agricultural district of the hunter valley, which produces maize, wheat and other cereals, lucerne, tobacco, fruit and wine; excellent coal also is worked in the vicinity. east maitland is the see of a roman catholic bishop, whose cathedral (st john's), however, is situated in the larger town. besides this, west maitland contains several handsome public and commercial buildings.