John Mullin died suddenly at his residence in British Guiana in March, 1937, at the age of 58.
He was trained in engineering at Crewe, and from 1904 to 1905 studied surveying at H.M. Ordnance Survey Office at Shrewsbury, and assaying with the late Benedict Kitto. He first visited British Guiana in 1905 as assayer and surveyor to British Guiana Gold Concessions Co., Ltd. On his return to England he studied for a time at the Penzance Mining School, and then left for Canada as assayer to the Nipissingi Mining Co., Ontario. Later he returned to British Guiana and entered Government service as a member of the Lands and Mines Department. In 1910 he was appointed Warden of Mining Districts and a Justice of the Peace, and at one time led an armed expedition against claim-raiders on the Venezuelan border. In 1915 he joined the Local Forces, and retired in 1923 with the rank of Captain.
After holding various posts in the Public Works Department and Mines Department, he was, in 1927, appointed Commissioner of Lands and Mines. He became a permanent member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council in 1935, and served as Chairman of the Land Tax Committee, the Promotions and Appointments Board, and the Labour Bureau. In addition he was a member of the Unemployment Relief Committee, and Secretary of the Board of Colonisation and Development in 1926. He was awarded the O.B.E. for his public services in 1985. He was joint editor of the British Guiana Handbook and collaborated with Sir John Harrison in re-writing his book on The Geology of the Goldfields of British Guiana.
Mr. Mullin was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1910 and in 1932 was transferred to Membership.
Vol. 48, Trans IMM 1938-39, pp.839-40
