2 JANUARY 1864, Page 46

The New Zealand Handbook • Ninth edition. (Willis Gaun and

Co.)—A candid little book—praise which is not slight, considering the character of many of these emigrants' manuals. The intending emigrant is told fairly what he will find—a purely agricultural colony in its infancy. Those who know nothing of farming should go else- where, as the demand even for professional men is fully supplied. The climate is excellent. Further, Messrs. Willis admit that at present the North Island " is not a country to which families could prudently go."