Notice of Extension of Licence of Ashburn Hall to Keep Mentally Disordered Persons The University of Otago (``the licensee'') is the current holder of a licence under section 9 of the Mental Health Act 1969 to keep mentally disordered persons at the premises of Ashburn Hall, 496 Taieri Road, Halfway Bush, Dunedin (``the licence''). This licence was continued by section 138 (1) of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (``the Act''). I am satisfied that the licensee is taking steps to enable the premises at Ashburn Hall to be registered as a private hospital under the Hospitals Act 1957, and so, pursuant to section 138 (4) of the Act and in respect of the licence, I extend the period specified in section 138 (2) of the Act until the close of 31 October 1999. Dated this 1st day of October 1998. SIMON WILLIAM ENGLISH, Minister of Health. Explanatory Note This note is not part of the notice but is intended to indicate its general effect. The licence in respect of Ashburn Hall was originally granted on 15 April 1911. It was continued by successive pieces of legislation (section 45 (3) of the Mental Health Act 1911, section 129 (10) of the Mental Health Act 1969, and section 138 (2) of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992). Under section 138 (2) of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, the licence continued in force until 31 October 1997. Provision is also made in subsections (3)(6) of section 138 of that Act to extend the licence for three further 1 year periods if the Minister of Health is satisfied that the licensee is taking steps to enable the premises to which the licence relates to be registered as a private hospital under the Hospitals Act 1957. Being so satisfied, the Minister of Health extended the licence until the close of 31 October 1998, and is now extending the licence for the second of the three 1 year periods until the close of 31 October 1999.