Supplement to the John Hancock International/Global Funds Prospectus
Dated June 1, 1998
for John Hancock World Bond Fund
On December 8, 1998, the Trustees of the John Hancock World Bond 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 for February 10, 1999, the Fund would transfer all
of its assets and liabilities to the John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
("Strategic Income Fund") in a tax-free exchange for shares of equal value of
Strategic Income Fund. Further information regarding the proposed reorganization
will be contained in a proxy statement and prospectus, which is scheduled to be
mailed to shareholders on or about December 17, 1998.
Effective December 9, 1998, John Hancock World Bond Fund will be closed to all
new accounts.
December 9, 1998
Supplement to the John Hancock International/Global Funds Prospectus
Dated June 1, 1998
On pages 16 and 18, the "Portfolio Management" section has been changed as
follows:
John Hancock Short-Term Strategic Income Fund
Fred Cavanaugh, Jr. and Arthur N. Calavritinos, CFA lead the fund's management
team. Mr. Cavanaugh, senior vice president, has been in the investment business
since 1975 and joined the Adviser in 1986. Mr. Calavritinos, vice president, has
been in the investment business since 1986 and joined the Adviser in 1988.
John Hancock World Bond Fund
Fred Cavanaugh, Jr., James K. Ho, CFA and Anthony A. Goodchild lead the fund's
portfolio management team. Mr. Cavanaugh and Mr. Ho have been members of the
team since 1998 and Mr. Goodchild since 1994. Mr. Cavanaugh, senior vice
president, has been in the investment business since 1975 and joined the Adviser
in 1986. Mr. Ho, executive vice president, has been in the investment business
since 1977 and joined the Adviser in 1985. Mr. Goodchild, senior vice president,
has been in the investment business since 1968 and joined the Adviser in 1994.
John Hancock Global Rx Fund
The name of John Hancock Global Rx Fund has been changed to John Hancock Global
Health Sciences Fund, effective October 1, 1998. The Fund can be found in the
newspaper under the following listings:
Global Health Sciences-Class A GlHSciA
Global Health Sciences-Class B GlHSciB
January 14, 1999
GLIPS 1/99
