Smile on my dial; gun under counter

This morning I was listening to someone who started their working career as a bank teller. This man is probably now closer to 70 than 60 and is still working as CEO of a charity in Wellington. He was quite the storyteller which is an advantage if you turn up for a breakfast event.

Anyway looking at this man and his early career I couldn't help but think of Maria who started her working career as a bank teller in 2007 I think. When Maria did her orientation she got lots of training about how to smile; count money; keep,safe and various other competencies I'm sure. Had she started 40 years earlier in 1967, or had her father started his working vp career as a bank teller then pistol,training would have been a required initial and ongoing competency. Every teller issued with a uniform and a gun. Uniform could be taken home - every gun stored in gun basement next to bank safe. Monthly gun training by Police provided so Maria and Tim would have had something in common

Guns only withdrawn in 1975. I was sceptical enough to check but it appears to be accurate

http://www.westpac.co.nz/who-we-are/about-westpac-new-zealand/our-history/