John Hancock Limited-Term Government Fund
Supplement to Prospectus
On September 9, 1997, the Trustees of the John Hancock Limited-Term Government
Fund (the "Fund") voted to recommend that the shareholders approve a tax-free
reorganization of the Fund, as described below.
Under the terms of the reorganization, subject to shareholder approval at a
shareholder meeting scheduled to be held on November 12, 1997, the Fund would
transfer all of its assets and liabilities to John Hancock Intermediate Maturity
Government Fund ("Intermediate Maturity Government Fund") in a tax-free exchange
for shares of equal value of Intermediate Maturity Government Fund. Further
information regarding the proposed reorganization will be contained in a proxy
statement and prospectus which is scheduled to be mailed to shareholders during
the last week of September, 1997.
Effective September 17, 1997, John Hancock Limited-Term Government Fund will be
closed to all new accounts.
September 10, 1997
220PS 9/97
