<PAGE> 1
JOHN HANCOCK GROWTH FUND
SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1995
The discussion of who is responsible for the day to day management of the Fund
contained in the "Organization and Management of the Fund" section is replaced
with the following:
Day-to day management of the Fund is carried out by Bernice S. Behar. Ms.
Behar has been with the Adviser since 1991 and prior to that was a portfolio
manager and investment analyst with Sanyo Securities America.
The "Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge" section under SHARE PRICE is
supplemented as follows:
Effective March 1, 1996, members of an approved affinity group financial
service plan, may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without paying a sales
charge. *
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*For investments made under these provisions, John Hancock Funds, Inc. may
make a payment out of its own resources to the Selling Broker in an amount not
to exceed 0.25% of the amount invested.
March 1, 1996
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JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BOND FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK LIMITED TERM GOVERNMENT FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK SPECIAL VALUE FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN INVESTORS FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BALANCED FUND, MAY 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK PACIFIC BASIN EQUITIES FUND, JANUARY 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK GLOBAL RX FUND, JANUARY 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK GLOBAL MARKETPLACE FUND, JANUARY 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK TAX EXEMPT SERIES FUND, JANUARY 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK UTILITIES FUND, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK INDEPENDENCE DIVERSIFIED CORE EQUITY FUND, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, JANUARY 1, 1996
JOHN HANCOCK DISCOVERY FUND, DECEMBER 1, 1995
JOHN HANCOCK INTERMEDIATE MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND, SEPTEMBER 25, 1995
SUPPLEMENT TO CLASS A AND CLASS B PROSPECTUS
The "Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge" section under SHARE PRICE is
supplemented as follows:
Effective March 1, 1996, members of an approved affinity group financial
service plan, may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without paying a
sales charge. *
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*For investments made under these provisions, John Hancock Funds, Inc. may make
a payment out of its own resources to the Selling Broker in an amount not to
exceed 0.25% of the amount invested.
March 1, 1996
