It is with sincere regret that we have to record the death, on Monday last, at his residence, The Homestead, Seaford, Sussex, of Mr James Samuel Burroughes, chairman of directors of Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, Ltd., billiard table manufacturers, 19, Soho Square, W. Mr. Burroughes, who had reached the age of seventy-one years, had been in indifferent health for some time past.
The business was established by his father about seventy five years ago. He entered it upon leaving school, and it had been largely under his direction until comparatively recent years. The present directors are Mr. L. H. J Burroughes (son of the late Mr. J. S. Burroughes), chairman; MR. J. R. Abbott, and Mr. C P. Lidbetter. He was a moving spirit in the first billiard championships that were arranged, and was thus associated with Roberts, Cook, and other professional players He was a generous supporter of billiards and of movements connected with the game and introduced the first American tournament in London.
The relationship existing between the late Mr. Burroughes and his many workpeople was one of attention on his part to their interests and of respect and affection towards himself on theirs. The news of his death was received throughout the works with genuine sorrow and regret.
Mr. Burroughes (who was born at 19, Soho Square, where the head office of the business still is) was, apart from his business life, a member for six years of the first School Board of London, and was at one time a prospective candidate for the parliamentary representation of South St.
Pancras. He was a Fellow both of the Royal Geographical and of the Zoological Society, and had travelled three times round the world. Furthermore, he was a member of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons and a keen sportsman and motorist.