Today’s birthdays:

Charles John Wright Barton, New Zealand businessman/mayor/town clerk (18521935); Billy Fitchett, New Zealand Anglican bishop (18721952); Eric Partridge, New Zealandborn lexicographer (18941979); Bob Scott, All Black (19212012); Noel Hilliard, New Zealand novelist (19291996); Colin Murdoch, New Zealand pharmacist/veterinarian (19292008); Mike Farrell, US actor (1939); John Burke, New Zealand local body politician (1946); Duncan Robertson, All Black (1947); John

Campbell, New Zealand marathon runner (1949); Michael Pollan, US author (1955); Kathy Najimy, US actress (1957); Axl Rose, US rock singer (1962); Rick Astley, British singer (1966); Rodney Bell, New Zealand dancer (1971); Lynda Patterson 13th dean of Christchurch and first woman in the role (19742014); Alice Eve, English actress (1982); Crystal Reed, US actress (1985); Dane DeHaan, US actor (1986); Anton Tennet, New Zealand actor (1987); Dominic Sherwood, English actor (1990); Nora Fatehi, Canadian dancer (1992).