EDGAR
March 3, 1999
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Filing Pursuant to Rule 497(j)
John Hancock Investment Trust III
John Hancock Global Fund
John Hancock Growth Fund
John Hancock International Fund
John Hancock Short-Term Strategic Income Fund
John Hancock Special Opportunities Fund
File Nos. 33-4559; 811-4630
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to 497(j) of Regulation C, under the Securities Act of 1933, in lieu of
filing under paragraph (b) or (c) of Rule 497, I hereby certify that the form of
Prospectus dated March 1, 1999 and Statement of Additional Information dated
March 1, 1999 for the above-captioned registrant that would have been filed
under paragraph (b) or (c) of Rule 497(j) does not differ from that contained in
the most recent registration statement amendment and the text of the most recent
registration statement that has been filed electronically.
Sincerely,
/s/Joan O'Neill
---------------
Joan O'Neill