FILE NO. 2-66906
FILE NO. 811-3006
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (X)
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ( )
Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 (X)
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 (X)
Amendment No. 41 (X)
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JOHN HANCOCK BOND TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7603
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, (617) 375-1700
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SUSAN S. NEWTON
Vice President and Secretary
John Hancock Advisers, Inc.
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
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It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
(X) immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
( ) on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
( ) 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
( ) on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
Calculation of Registration Fees Under the Securities Act of 1933
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Proposed Maximum Proposed Aggregate
Title of Securities Amount of Shares Offering Price Maximum Amount of
Being Registered Being Registered Per Share Offering Price Registration Fee
---------------- ---------------- --------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of Beneficial Interest Indefinite N/A N/A 0
Shares of Beneficial Interest 1,652,407 $9.42 N/A N/A
</TABLE>
1. Registrant continues its election to register an indefinite number of
shares of beneficial interest pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the
investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2. Registrant elects to calculate the maximum aggregate offering price
pursuant to Rule 24e-2. 1,761,997 shares were redeemed during the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997. 109,590 shares were used for
reductions pursuant to Paragraph (c) of Rule 24f-2 during the current
fiscal year. 1,652,407 shares is the amount of redeemed shares used for
reduction in this Amendment. Pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Maximum public offering price of $9.42 per
share on May 27, 1997 is the price used as the basis for calculating
the registration fee. No fee is required for the 1,652,407 shares.
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant has
registered an indefinite number of securities under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Registrant filed the notice required by Rule 24f-2 for the most recent
fiscal year of John Hancock Intermediate Maturity Government Fund on or about
May 27, 1997. The Registrant filed the notice required by Rule 24f-2 for the
most recent fiscal year of John Hancock U.S. Government Income Fund and John
Hancock High Yield Bond Fund on or about December 27, 1996.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto
duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on
the 29th day of May, 1997.
JOHN HANCOCK BOND FUND
By: *
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Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
* Chairman and Chief Executive
- ----------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Edward J. Boudreau, Jr.
/s/ James B. Little Senior Vice President and Chief May 29, 1997
- ----------------------- Financial Officer (Principal
James B. Little Financial and Accounting Officer)
* Trustee
- -----------------------
James F. Carlin
* Trustee
- -----------------------
William H. Cunningham
* Trustee
- -----------------------
Charles F. Fretz
* Trustee
- -----------------------
Anne C. Hodsdon
C-1
<PAGE>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Charles L. Ladner
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Leo E. Linbeck, Jr.
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Patricia P. McCarter
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Steven R. Pruchansky
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Richard S. Scipione
* Trustee
- ----------------------
Norman H. Smith
* Trustee
- ----------------------
John P. Toolan
*By: /s/ Susan S. Newton May 29, 1997
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Susan S. Newton,
Attorney-in-Fact, under
Powers of Attorney dated
June 25, 1996.
</TABLE>
C-2
May 28, 1997
John Hancock Bond Trust Fund
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
RE: John Hancock Bond Trust
on behalf of John Hancock Government Income Fund
John Hancock Intermediate Maturity Government Fund
John Hancock High Yield Bond Fund (the "Funds")
File Nos. 2-66906; 811-3006 (0000315554)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the filing of Amendment No. 41 pursuant to Rule 24e-2 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, registering by Post-Effective
Amendment No. 37 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 1,652,407 shares
of the John Hancock Bond Trust (the "Trust") in reliance upon Rule 24e-2, it is
the opinion of the undersigned that such shares will when sold be legally
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
In connection with this opinion it should be noted that the Trust is an entity
of the type generally known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust may be held
personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust's
Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for obligations of the
Trust and indemnifies any shareholder of the Funds, with this indemnification to
be paid solely out of the assets of the Funds. Therefore, the shareholder's risk
is limited to circumstances in which the assets of the Funds are insufficient to
meet the obligations asserted against the Funds assets.
Sincerely,
/s/ Timothy M. Fagan
Timothy M. Fagan
Assistant Secretary
Member of Massachusetts Bar
