OMB APPROVAL
OMB NUMBER: 3235-0145
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.)*
John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
41013J-10-7
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement "X"
(A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five
percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has
filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of
five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosure provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of
the Act (however, see the Notes).
SEC 1745 (5-87)
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CUSIP NO. 41013J-10-7 THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE 13G
AUGUST 2, 1999
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
The Commerce Group, Inc.
ID#: 04-2599931
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a)_____
(b)_____
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
892,300 as of July 23, 1999
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
N/A
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
892,300 as of July 23, 1999
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
N/A
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
892,300 as of July 23, 1999
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES*
N/A
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
12.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC
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THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE 13G
August 2, 1999
Item 1.
a. John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund
b. 101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199-7603;
Item 2.
a. The Commerce Group, Inc.
b. 211 Main Street, Webster, MA 01570;
c. Organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
d. Common Stock of John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund;
e. John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund CUSIP - 41013J-10-7
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-
1(b), or 13d-2(b), check whether the person filing
is a:
Parent Holding Company, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
Item 4. Ownership
a. 892,300 shares of common stock as of July 23, 1999;
b. 12.3% of common stock owned;
c. (I) 892,300 shares of common stock as of July 23, 1999;
(ii) N/A;
(iii) 892,300 shares of common stock as of July 23, 1999;
(iv) N/A;
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
N/A;
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of
Another Person.
N/A;
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary
Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By
the Parent Holding Company
The Commerce Insurance Company - (IC);
Commerce West Insurance Company - (IC);
American Commerce Insurance Company - (IC)
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THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE 13G
August 2, 1999
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the
Group
N/A;
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
N/A;
Item 10. Certification.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of
business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the
effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purposes or effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
August 2, 1999
Date
Signature
Randall V. Becker,
Chief Accounting Officer &
Treasurer
Page 4 of 4
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