<PAGE> 1
[LETTERHEAD]
July 27,1995
John Hancock Strategic Series
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
Re: Rule 24f-2 Notice for John Hancock Strategic Series:
- John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
- John Hancock Utilities Fund
- John Hancock Independence Diversified Core Equity Fund
(File Nos. 33-5186; 811-4651) (0000792858)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the filing of a Notice pursuant to Rule
24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
making definite the registration under the Securities Act of
1933 of 8,980,711 shares of Class A and 9,883,638 shares of
Class B of the series John Hancock Strategic Income Fund; and
3,085,752 shares of Class A and 4,745,699 shares of Class B of
John Hancock Utilities Fund; and 3,969,193 shares of John
Hancock Independence Diversified Core Equity Fund, for a total
of 30,664,993 shares of the John Hancock Strategic Series (the
"Fund") sold in reliance upon said Rule 24f-2 during the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1995; it is the opinion of the undersigned
that such shares were legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
In connection with this opinion it should be noted that the
Fund 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 Fund. However, the
Fund's Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for
obligations of the Fund and indemnifies any shareholder of the
Fund, with such indemnification to be paid solely out of the
assets of the Fund. Therefore, the shareholder's risk is
limited to circumstances in which the assets of the Fund are
insufficient to meet the obligations asserted against such
assets.
Sincerely,
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, INC.
/s/ Avery P. Maher
Avery P. Maher
Assistant Secretary
Member of Massachusetts Bar
<PAGE> 2
July 27, 1995
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Rule 24f-2 Notice for
John Hancock Strategic Series - John Hancock Strategic Income Fund,
John Hancock Utilities Fund and John Hancock Independence Diversified
Equity Fund
Registration No. 33-5186
SEC Filing Fees Account #0000792858
Dear Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to notify you within two (2) months of the end of
Registrant's Fiscal Year of the number of Registrant's shares sold during the
last fiscal year which are to be registered pursuant to Rule 24f-2 and to pay
the appropriate registration fee.
<TABLE>
The information required by the above referenced rule is as follows:
Fiscal Year: June 1, 1994 to May 31, 1995
Number of Shares previously Registered
Other than Pursuant to Rule 24f-2
Remaining Unsold at Beginning of Fiscal Year: Total: -0-
<CAPTION>
Breakdown by series and class: Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund -0- -0- -0-
John Hancock Utilities Fund -0- -0- -0-
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund -0- -0- -0-
------------------------------
-0- -0- -0-
------------------------------
Number of Shares Registered During Fiscal Year
Other than Pursuant to Rule 24f-2: Total: -0-
<CAPTION>
Breakdown by series and class: Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund -0- -0- -0-
John Hancock Utilities Fund -0- -0- -0-
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund -0- -0- -0-
------------------------------
-0- -0- -0-
------------------------------
Number of Shares Sold During Fiscal Year: Total: 30,664,993
<CAPTION>
Breakdown by series and class: Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund 8,980,711 9,883,638 N/A
John Hancock Utilities Fund 3,085,752 4,745,699 N/A
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund 3,969,193 N/A N/A
------------------------------
16,035,656 14,629,337 N/A
------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
John Hancock Strategic Series
July 27, 1995
Page Two
<TABLE>
Number of Shares Sold During Fiscal Year
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2: Total: 30,664,993
<CAPTION>
Breakdown by series and class: Class A Class B Class C
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund 8,980,711 9,883,638 N/A
John Hancock Utilities Fund 3,085,752 4,745,699 N/A
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund 3,969,193 N/A N/A
------------------------------
16,035,656 14,629,337 N/A
------------------------------
</TABLE>
Attached to this Rule 24f-2 Notice, and made part hereof, is an opinion of
counsel indicating that the Securities, the Registration of which the notice
makes definite in number, were legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by
the Registrant.
<TABLE>
In accordance with subsection (c) of Rule 24f-2, a registration fee for
John Hancock Strategic Series of $34,548.84 is due. The fee computation is
based upon the following:
Aggregate Sale Price for Shares Sold During
Fiscal Year in Reliance Upon the 24f-2
Declaration (Based on aggregate sale price for
all shares sold of $247,416,990 less aggregate
sale price of shares registered pursuant to
Rule 24e-2 of $ None)
<S> <C>
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund $ 133,477,729
John Hancock Utilities Fund $ 63,762,556
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund $ 50,176,705
-------------
Total: $ 247,416,990
-------------
Reduced By:
(1) Aggregate Redemption Price of Shares
Redeemed During the Fiscal Year and,
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund $104,667,054
John Hancock Utilities Fund $10,670,843
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund $31,887,473
-------------
Total: $147,225,370
-------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
John Hancock Strategic Series
July 27, 1995
Page Three
<TABLE>
(2) Aggregate Redemption Price of Redeemed
Shares Previously Applied by Fund
Pursuant to Rule 24e-2 (a) Filings Made
Pursuant to Section 24(e)(1) of
Investment Company Act of 1940
<S> <C>
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund -0-
John Hancock Utilities Fund -0-
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund -0-
------------
$ -0-
------------
Net Sales Applicable for fee:
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund $ 28,810,675
John Hancock Utilities Fund $ 53,091,713
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund $ 18,289,232
------------
$100,191,620
------------
Rate: 1/29 of 1%
------------
Computation of Registration Fee:
Registration Fee:
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund $ 9,934.72
John Hancock Utilities Fund $ 18,307.49
John Hancock Indep. Diversified Core Equity Fund $ 6,306.63
------------
Total Registration Fee: $ 34,548.84
------------
</TABLE>
Any questions regarding this matter should be addressed to William H. King,
Associate Treasurer, John Hancock Advisers, Inc., 101 Huntington Avenue, 8th
Floor, Boston, MA 02199-7603, (617) 375-1668.
Very truly yours,
/s/ William H. King
William H. King
Associate Treasurer
