Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is situated in the south of the North Island, among the mountainous masses 2,000ft., high which form the northern shore of Cook Strait. The winds in this latitude are strong and persistent, and this, combined with the venturi effect of the Straits, gives-Wellington a very boisterous climate. The average run of wind per 24 hours is 310 miles and the average number of gales of force 8 or over is in excess of 60 per annum. There is little open ground near the city, and there is no aerodrome site within 30 miles which is free from atmospheric disturbances or topographical defects.