HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
POS AMI, 1997-07-29
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           As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 1997
                                                               File No. 811-8464





                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                     THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

                               AMENDMENT NO. 3          [X]

                              HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
                              ---------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                        The Bank of Nova Scotia Building
                     P.O. Box 501, George Town, Grand Cayman
                       Cayman Islands, British West Indies
                       -----------------------------------
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                                 (809) 949-2001
                                 --------------
               Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code


                                 Alan R. Dynner
                 24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                 ----------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)



<PAGE>
     Throughout this Registration Statement,  information concerning High Income
Portfolio (the  "Portfolio")  is incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 36
to the  Registration  Statement  of Eaton  Vance  Mutual  Funds  Trust (File No.
2-90946) under the  Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act")) (the  "Amendment"),
which was filed  electronically  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on
July 25, 1997 (Accession No.  0000950156-97-000585).  The Amendment contains the
prospectus and statement of additional  information  ("SAI") of EV Marathon High
Income Fund (the "Feeder Fund"),  which invests  substantially all of its assets
in the Portfolio.
    

                                     PART A

     Responses  to  Items 1  through  3 and 5A have  been  omitted  pursuant  to
Paragraph 4 of Instruction F of the General Instructions to Form N-1A.

ITEM 4. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT

   
     The Portfolio is a  diversified,  open-end  management  investment  company
which was organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York on May 1,
1992.  Interests  in the  Portfolio  are  issued  solely  in  private  placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act.  Investments  in the Portfolio may be made only by
U.S. and foreign  investment  companies,  common or commingled  trust funds,  or
similar  organizations  or trusts  described in Sections 401(a) or 501(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or similar organizations
or entities that are "accredited  investors"  within the meaning of Regulation D
under the 1933 Act. This Registration Statement, as amended, does not constitute
an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security"  within
the meaning of the 1933 Act.

     The  Portfolio  is  not  intended  to  be a  complete  investment  program.
Prospective  investors  should  take into  account  their  objectives  and other
investments  when  considering  the purchase of interests in the Portfolio.  The
Portfolio cannot assure achievement of its investment  objective.  The Portfolio
may not be  appropriate  for  investors  who cannot  assume the greater  risk of
capital depreciation or loss inherent in seeking higher yields.

     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
investment  objective  and  investment  practices  from "The  Fund's  Investment
Objective" and "Investment Policies and Risks" in the Feeder Fund prospectus and
"Appendix-Description of Securities Ratings" in Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 5. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
management  from  "Management  of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder Fund
prospectus and "Appendix - Description  of Securities  Ratings" in Part I of the
Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 6. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Registrant  incorporates by reference  information  concerning interests in
the Portfolio  from  "Organization  of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder
Fund  prospectus  and "Other  Information"  in Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI. An
interest in the Portfolio  has no  preemptive or conversion  rights and is fully
paid and nonassessable by the Portfolio, except as described under "Organization
of the Fund and Portfolio" in the Feeder Fund Prospectus and "Other  Information
in Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI.



<PAGE>
     As of July 1, 1997,  the Feeder Fund  controlled the Portfolio by virtue of
owning more than 83.6% of the outstanding voting interests in the Portfolio.
    

     The  Portfolio's  net asset value is  determined  each day on which the New
York Stock Exchange (the  "Exchange") is open for trading  ("Portfolio  Business
Day"). This determination is made each Portfolio Business Day as of the close of
regular  trading  on the  Exchange  (normally  4:00  p.m.,  New York  time) (the
"Portfolio Valuation Time").

     Each investor in the  Portfolio may add to or reduce its  investment in the
Portfolio on each Portfolio Business Day as of the Portfolio Valuation Time. The
value  of each  investor's  interest  in the  Portfolio  will be  determined  by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the  percentage,  determined
on the prior Portfolio  Business Day, which represented that investor's share of
the  aggregate  interest in the  Portfolio on such prior day.  Any  additions or
withdrawals for the current Portfolio  Business Day will then be recorded.  Each
investor's  percentage of the aggregate  interest in the Portfolio  will then be
recomputed as a percentage equal to a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the
value  of  such  investor's  investment  in the  Portfolio  as of the  Portfolio
Valuation Time on the prior  Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus,  as the case
may be,  the  amount of any  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the  investor's
investment in the Portfolio on the current  Portfolio  Business Day and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the
Portfolio  Valuation Time on the prior Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus, as
the case may be,  the amount of the net  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the
aggregate  investment in the Portfolio on the current Portfolio  Business Day by
all  investors in the  Portfolio.  The  percentage  so  determined  will then be
applied to determine the value of the  investor's  interest in the Portfolio for
the current Portfolio Business Day.

     The Portfolio will allocate at least  annually  among its  investors,  each
investor's  distributive  share of the  Portfolio's net investment  income,  net
realized capital gains, and any other items of income,  gain, loss, deduction or
credit.  The Portfolio's net investment income consists of all income accrued on
the Portfolio's  assets,  less all actual and accrued expenses of the Portfolio,
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

     Under the anticipated  method of operation of the Portfolio,  the Portfolio
will not be subject to any federal  income tax.  (See Part B, Item 20.) However,
each investor in the Portfolio will take into account its allocable share of the
Portfolio's  ordinary  income and capital gain in determining its federal income
tax liability.  The  determination of each such share will be made in accordance
with the governing  instruments of the  Portfolio,  which are intended to comply
with the requirements of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

     It is intended  that the  Portfolio's  assets and income will be managed in
such a way  that an  investor  in the  Portfolio  that  seeks  to  qualify  as a
regulated  investment company ("RIC") under the Code will be able to satisfy the
requirements for such qualification.


ITEM 7. PURCHASE OF INTERESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO

     Interests  in  the  Portfolio  are  issued  solely  in  private   placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. See "General Description of Registrant" above.



<PAGE>
   
     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the computation
of net asset value and valuation of Portfolio  assets from "Valuing Fund Shares"
in the Feeder Fund prospectus. For further information, see Item 19 of Part B.
    

     There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment in the Portfolio.  The
Portfolio  reserves the right to cease  accepting  investments at any time or to
reject any investment order.

   
     The  placement  agent for the Portfolio is Eaton Vance  Distributors,  Inc.
("EVD"). EVD receives no compensation for serving as the placement agent for the
Portfolio.
    

ITEM 8. REDEMPTION OR DECREASE OF INTEREST

     An investor in the Portfolio may withdraw all of (redeem) or any portion of
(decrease) its interest in the Portfolio if a withdrawal  request in proper form
is furnished by the investor to the Portfolio.  All withdrawals will be effected
as of the next Portfolio  Valuation  Time. The proceeds of a withdrawal  will be
paid by the Portfolio  normally on the Portfolio  Business Day the withdrawal is
effected,  but in any event within seven days. The Portfolio  reserves the right
to pay the  proceeds of a  withdrawal  (whether a  redemption  or decrease) by a
distribution in kind of portfolio  securities  (instead of cash). The securities
so  distributed  would be valued at the same amount as that  assigned to them in
calculating the net asset value for the interest  (whether  complete or partial)
being  withdrawn.  If an  investor  received  a  distribution  in kind upon such
withdrawal,  the investor could incur  brokerage and other charges in converting
the securities to cash. The Portfolio has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission")  a  notification  of  election  on Form  N-18F-1
committing to pay in cash all requests for withdrawals by any investor,  limited
in amount with respect to such  investor  during any 90-day period to the lesser
of (a)  $250,000  or (b) 1% of the  net  asset  value  of the  Portfolio  at the
beginning of such period.

     Investments in the Portfolio may not be transferred.

     The right of any investor to receive payment with respect to any withdrawal
may be suspended or the payment of the withdrawal  proceeds postponed during any
period in which the  Exchange is closed  (other than  weekends or  holidays)  or
trading on the Exchange is restricted or, to the extent  otherwise  permitted by
the Investment  Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), if an emergency exists, or
during any other period  permitted by order of the Commission for the protection
of investors.

ITEM 9. PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Not applicable.



<PAGE>
   
                                   APPENDIX B

                              HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO

                          ASSET COMPOSITION INFORMATION
                    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                                                           PERCENT OF NET ASSETS

         Preferred Stocks and
          Other Equity Securities                                   2.0%

         Short-Term Obligations                                     2.8%

         Debt Securities -- Moody's Rating
                  Ba                                                8.1%
                  B1                                               12.4%
                  B2                                               24.8%
                  B3                                               39.9%
                  Caa                                               7.0%
                  Unrated                                           3.0%
                                                                  ------
                  Total                                           100.0%

     The  chart  above  indicates  the  weighted  average   composition  of  the
securities  held by the Portfolio for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, with
the debt  securities  rated  by  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")
separated into the indicated  categories.  The weighted average  indicated above
was calculated on a dollar weighted basis and was computed as at the end of each
month during the fiscal year. The chart does not  necessarily  indicate what the
composition of the Portfolio will be in the current and subsequent fiscal years.

     For a  description  of Moody's  ratings  of  fixed-income  securities,  see
Appendix A in the Feeder Fund Prospectus.



<PAGE>
                                     PART B

ITEM 10. COVER PAGE.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 11. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

                                                                            PAGE
General Information and History .............................................B-1
Investment Objectives and Policies ..........................................B-1
Management of the Portfolio .................................................B-1
Control Persons and Principal Holder of Securities ..........................B-1
Investment Advisory and Other Services ......................................B-2
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices ....................................B-2
Capital Stock and Other Securities ..........................................B-2
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities ..............................B-4
Tax Status ..................................................................B-4
Underwriters ................................................................B-7
Calculation of Performance Data .............................................B-7
Financial Statements ........................................................B-7

ITEM 12. GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 13. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.

     Part A contains additional  information about the investment  objective and
policies of the Portfolio.  This Part B should be read in conjunction  with Part
A.  Capitalized  terms used in this Part B and not  otherwise  defined  have the
meanings given them in Part A.

     Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
investment  policies of the  Portfolio  as well as  information  concerning  the
investment  restrictions  of the Portfolio from  "Additional  Information  about
Investment Policies", and "Investment Restrictions" in Part I of the Feeder Fund
SAI. The Portfolio's  portfolio  turnover rates for the fiscal years ended March
31, 1997 and 1996, were 78% and 88%, respectively.

ITEM 14. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

     Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
management of the Portfolio from "Trustees and Officers" in Part I of the Feeder
Fund SAI and "Fees and  Expenses"  in Part II of the Feeder Fund SAI.  .........
ITEM 15. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES

     As of July 1, 1997,  the Feeder  Fund, a series of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds
Trust, owned  approximately  83.6% of the value of the outstanding  interests in
the Portfolio. In addition, the EV Medallion High Income Fund owned 13.8% of the
value of the  outstanding  interests in the  Portfolio.  Because the Feeder Fund
controls  the  Portfolio, it  may take actions without the approval of any other


                                      B-1
<PAGE>
investor.  The Feeder  Fund has  informed  the  Portfolio  that  whenever  it is
requested  to vote on matters  pertaining  to the  fundamental  policies  of the
Portfolio,  it will hold a  meeting  of  shareholders  and will cast its vote as
instructed by its shareholders. It is anticipated that any other investor in the
Portfolio  that is an  investment  company  registered  under the 1940 Act would
follow the same or a similar  practice.  Eaton  Vance  Mutual  Funds Trust is an
open-end  management  investment company organized as a business trust under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The address of the Feeder Fund is 24
Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.

ITEM 16. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     Registrant  incorporates  by reference  information  concerning  investment
advisory and other services  provided to the Portfolio from "Investment  Adviser
and Administrator",  "Custodian" and "Independent  Certified Public Accountants"
in Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 17. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     Registrant  incorporates by reference information  concerning the brokerage
practices of the Portfolio from "Portfolio  Security  Transactions" in Part I of
the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 18. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Under the Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to
issue interests in the Portfolio. Investors are entitled to participate pro rata
in distributions of taxable income, loss, gain and credit of the Portfolio. Upon
dissolution  of the Portfolio,  the Trustees  shall  liquidate the assets of the
Portfolio and apply and distribute the proceeds  thereof as follows:  (a) first,
to the payment of all debts and  obligations  of the  Portfolio to third parties
including, without limitation, the retirement of outstanding debt, including any
debt owed to holders of record of  interests  in the  Portfolio  ("Holders")  or
their affiliates, and the expenses of liquidation,  and to the setting up of any
reserves for contingencies which may be necessary; and (b) second, in accordance
with the Holders'  positive Book Capital  Account  balances after adjusting Book
Capital  Accounts for certain  allocations  provided in the Declaration of Trust
and in  accordance  with the  requirements  described  in  Treasury  Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustees
shall  determine  that an  immediate  sale of part or all of the  assets  of the
Portfolio would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Trustees, in order to avoid
such loss,  may,  after having  given  notification  to all the Holders,  to the
extent not then prohibited by the law of any jurisdiction in which the Portfolio
is then formed or qualified and  applicable in the  circumstances,  either defer
liquidation of and withhold from  distribution  for a reasonable time any assets
of the Portfolio  except those  necessary to satisfy the  Portfolio's  debts and
obligations or distribute the Portfolio's  assets to the Holders in liquidation.
Certificates  representing  an  investor's  interest in the Portfolio are issued
only upon the written request of a Holder.
    

     Each Holder is entitled to vote in proportion to the amount of its interest
in the Portfolio. Holders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Portfolio is
not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of Holders but
the  Portfolio  will  hold  meetings  of  Holders  when in the  judgment  of the
Portfolio's Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters to a vote of
Holders at a  meeting.  Any  action  which may be taken by Holders  may be taken
without a meeting if Holders holding more than 50% of all interests  entitled to
vote (or such  larger  proportion  thereof as shall be  required  by any express
provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Portfolio) consent to the action in
writing and the consents are filed with the records of meetings of Holders.


                                      B-2
<PAGE>
     The  Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust may be amended by vote of Holders of
more than 50% of all  interests in the Portfolio at any meeting of Holders or by
an  instrument  in writing  without a  meeting,  executed  by a majority  of the
Trustees and consented to by the Holders of more than 50% of all interests.  The
Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust (without the vote or consent of
Holders) to change the Portfolio's name or the state or other jurisdiction whose
law shall be the  governing  law,  to supply any  omission  or cure,  correct or
supplement any ambiguous,  defective or inconsistent  provision,  to conform the
Declaration   of  Trust  to  applicable   federal  law  or  regulations  or  the
requirements  of the Code,  or to  change,  modify  or  rescind  any  provision,
provided  that such change,  modification  or  rescission  is  determined by the
Trustees to be necessary  or  appropriate  and not to have a materially  adverse
effect  on  the  financial  interests  of  the  Holders.  No  amendment  of  the
Declaration  of Trust which would change any rights with respect to any Holder's
interest  in  the  Portfolio  by  reducing  the  amount  payable   thereon  upon
liquidation of the Portfolio may be made, except with the vote or consent of the
Holders of two-thirds of all interests.  References in the  Declaration of Trust
and in Part A or this  Part B to a  specified  percentage  of, or  fraction  of,
interests in the Portfolio,  means Holders whose  combined Book Capital  Account
balances  represent such  specified  percentage or fraction of the combined Book
Capital Account balance of all, or a specified group of, Holders.

     The  Portfolio  may  merge  or  consolidate  with  any  other  corporation,
association,  trust  or  other  organization  or may  sell  or  exchange  all or
substantially  all of its  assets  upon such terms and  conditions  and for such
consideration  when and as  authorized  by the Holders of (a) 67% or more of the
interests in the Portfolio present or represented at the meeting of Holders,  if
Holders of more than 50% of all interests are present or  represented  by proxy,
or (b) more than 50% of all  interests,  whichever is less. The Portfolio may be
terminated (i) by the affirmative vote of Holders of not less than two-thirds of
all interests at any meeting of Holders or by an instrument in writing without a
meeting,  executed by a majority of the Trustees and  consented to by Holders of
not less than  two-thirds of all  interests,  or (ii) by the Trustees by written
notice to the Holders. 

     In accordance  with the  Declaration  of Trust,  there  normally will be no
meetings of the investors for the purpose of electing  Trustees unless and until
such time as less than a  majority  of the  Trustees  holding  office  have been
elected by investors.  In such an event,  the Trustees of the Portfolio  then in
office will call an investors' meeting for the election of Trustees.  Except for
the foregoing  circumstances,  and unless  removed by action of the investors in
accordance  with the  Portfolio's  Declaration  of  Trust,  the  Trustees  shall
continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.

     The  Declaration  of Trust provides that no person shall serve as a Trustee
if investors  holding  two-thirds of the outstanding  interests have removed him
from that  office  either by a written  declaration  filed with the  Portfolio's
custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The Declaration
of Trust further  provides that under certain  circumstances,  the investors may
call a meeting to remove a Trustee and that the Portfolio is required to provide
assistance in communicating with investors about such a meeting.

     The Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of the Portfolio are not
binding  upon the  Trustees  individually  but only  upon  the  property  of the
Portfolio  and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act,  but nothing in the  Declaration  of Trust  protects a Trustee  against any
liability  to  which  he  would  otherwise  be  subject  by  reason  of  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.


                                      B-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 19. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES

   
     See "Purchase of Interests in the Portfolio" and "Redemption or Decrease of
Interest" in Part A.  

     Registrant  incorporates by reference  information  concerning valuation of
the Portfolio's assets from  "Determination of Net Asset Value" in Part I of the
Feeder Fund SAI.
    

ITEM 20. TAX STATUS

   
     The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that,  provided the Portfolio
is  operated  at all times  during its  existence  in  accordance  with  certain
organizational and operational documents,  the Portfolio should be classified as
a  partnership  under  the  Code,  and  it  should  not  be a  "publicly  traded
partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.  Consequently,  the
Portfolio  does not expect that it will be  required  to pay any federal  income
tax,  and a Holder  will be  required to take into  account in  determining  its
federal income tax liability its share of the Portfolio's income,  gains, losses
and deductions and credits.

     Under Subchapter K of the Code, a partnership is considered to be either an
aggregate  of its members or a separate  entity  depending  upon the factual and
legal context in which the question arises.  Under the aggregate approach,  each
partner is treated as an owner of an undivided  interest in  partnership  assets
and  operations.  Under the entity  approach,  the  partnership  is treated as a
separate entity in which partners have no direct interest in partnership  assets
and operations.  The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that, in the case
of a Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC, the aggregate approach should apply,
and each such Holder should  accordingly be deemed to own a proportionate  share
of each of the assets of the Portfolio and to be entitled to the gross income of
the Portfolio  attributable  to that share for purposes of all  requirements  of
Sections 851(b),  852(b)(5),  853(a) and 854 of the Code. Further, the Portfolio
has been  advised by tax counsel that each Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC
should be deemed to hold its proportionate  share of the Portfolio's  assets for
the  period the  Portfolio  has held the assets or for the period the Holder has
been an investor  in the  Portfolio,  whichever  is  shorter.  Investors  should
consult  their tax  advisers  regarding  whether  the  entity  or the  aggregate
approach  applies  to  their  investment  in the  Portfolio  in  light  of their
particular tax status and any special tax rules applicable to them.

     In order to enable a Holder in the Portfolio  (that is otherwise  eligible)
to qualify as a RIC,  the  Portfolio  intends to  satisfy  the  requirements  of
Subchapter M of the Code  relating to sources of income and  diversification  of
assets as if they were applicable to the Portfolio and to permit  withdrawals in
a  manner  that  will  enable  a  Holder  which  is a RIC  to  comply  with  the
distribution requirements applicable to RICs (including those under Sections 852
and 4982 of the Code).  The Portfolio  will  allocate at least  annually to each
Holder  such  Holder's  distributive  share of the  Portfolio's  net  investment
income,  net realized capital gains, and any other items of income,  gain, loss,
deduction or credit in a manner  intended to comply with the Code and applicable
Treasury regulations. Tax counsel has advised the Portfolio that the Portfolio's
allocations  of taxable  income and loss should  have  "economic  effect"  under
applicable Treasury regulations.

     To the  extent the cash  proceeds  of any  withdrawal  (or,  under  certain
circumstances,  such  proceeds  plus  the  value  of any  marketable  securities
distributed to an investor) ("liquid proceeds") exceed a Holder's adjusted basis
of his interest in the Portfolio,  the Holder will generally  realize a gain for
federal income tax purposes.  If, upon a complete withdrawal  (redemption of the
entire  interest),  a Holder  receives only liquid proceeds  (and/or  unrealized
receivables) and the Holder's  adjusted basis of his interest exceeds the liquid
proceeds  of  such  withdrawal,  the  Holder  will  generally realize a loss for
    

                                      B-4
<PAGE>
federal income tax purposes. In addition, on a distribution to a Holder from the
Portfolio  (whether pursuant to a partial or complete  withdrawal or otherwise),
(1) income or gain will be recognized if the  distribution  is in liquidation of
the Holder's  entire  interest in the Portfolio and includes a  disproportionate
share of any unrealized  receivables  held by the Portfolio and (2) gain or loss
may be recognized on a distribution to a Holder that contributed property to the
Portfolio.  The tax  consequences of a withdrawal of property  (instead of or in
addition to liquid  proceeds)  will be different and will depend on the specific
factual circumstances. A Holder's adjusted basis of an interest in the Portfolio
will  generally be the aggregate  prices paid therefor  (including  the adjusted
basis of  contributed  property  and any  gain  recognized  on the  contribution
thereof),  increased by the amounts of the Holder's  distributive share of items
of income  (including  interest  income  exempt  from  federal  income  tax) and
realized net gain of the Portfolio,  and reduced, but not below zero, by (i) the
amounts of the Holder's  distributive share of items of Portfolio loss, and (ii)
the amount of any cash distributions (including distributions of interest income
exempt from federal income tax and cash  distributions  on withdrawals  from the
Portfolio)  and the basis to the Holder of any property  received by such Holder
other than in  liquidation,  and (iii) the  Holder's  distributive  share of the
Portfolio's  nondeductible  expenditures  not  properly  chargeable  to  capital
account.  Increases  or  decreases  in  a  Holder's  share  of  the  Portfolio's
liabilities  may also result in  corresponding  increases  or  decreases in such
adjusted basis.

     The Portfolio may be subject to foreign  withholding or other foreign taxes
with respect to income  (possibly  including,  in some cases,  capital gains) on
certain foreign  securities.  These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the
terms of an  applicable  U.S.  income  tax  treaty in some  cases.  As it is not
expected that more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the Portfolio at
the close of any  taxable  year will  consist  of  securities  issued by foreign
corporations,  the  Portfolio  will not be eligible to pass through to investors
any foreign tax credits or deductions  for foreign taxes paid by the  Portfolio.
Certain  foreign  exchange  gains and losses  realized by the Portfolio  will be
treated as ordinary  income and losses.  Certain  uses of foreign  currency  and
foreign currency  options,  futures and forward  contracts and investment by the
Portfolio in the stock of certain  passive foreign  investment  companies may be
limited  or a tax  election  may be made,  if  available,  in order to enable an
investor  that  is a  RIC  to  preserve  its  qualification  as a RIC  or  avoid
imposition of a tax on such an investor.

     The Portfolio's investment in zero coupon and certain other securities will
cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to
these  securities.  Such  income will be  allocated  daily to  interests  in the
Portfolio.  To enable an investor that is a RIC to distribute its  proportionate
share of this  income and avoid a tax on such  investor,  the  Portfolio  may be
required  to  liquidate  portfolio  securities  that  it  might  otherwise  have
continued to hold, in order to generate cash for distribution to the RIC.

     Investments in lower rated or unrated  securities  may present  special tax
issues for the Portfolio and hence to an investor in the Portfolio to the extent
actual  or  anticipated  defaults  may be  more  likely  with  respect  to  such
securities.  Tax rules are not  entirely  clear  about  issues  such as when the
Portfolio  may cease to accrue  interest,  original  issue  discount,  or market
discount;  when and to what  extent  deductions  may be taken  for bad  debts or
worthless securities;  how payments received on obligations in default should be
allocated  between   principal  and  income;   and  whether  exchanges  of  debt
obligations in a workout context are taxable.

   
     The  Portfolio's  transactions  in options,  options on futures  contracts,
futures contracts,  forward contracts, will be subject to special tax rules, the
effect of which may be to accelerate  income to the Portfolio,  defer  Portfolio
losses,  cause  adjustments  in the  holding  periods of  Portfolio  securities,
convert capital gain into ordinary income and convert  short-term capital losses
into long-term capital losses.  For example,  the tax treatment of many types of


                                      B-5
<PAGE>
options,  options  on  futures  contracts,  futures contracts, forward contracts
entered  into by the  Portfolio  will be governed  by Section  1256 of the Code.
Absent a tax election for "mixed straddles" (see below), each such position held
by the Portfolio on the last business day of each taxable year will be marked to
market (i.e.,  treated as if it were closed out on such day),  and any resulting
gain or loss,  will  generally be treated as 60%  long-term  and 40%  short-term
capital  gain or  loss,  with  subsequent  adjustments  made to any gain or loss
realized upon an actual disposition of such positions.  When the Portfolio holds
an option or contract  governed by Section 1256 which  substantially  diminishes
the Holder's risk of loss with respect to another  position of the Portfolio not
governed by Section  1256 (as might occur in some  hedging  transactions),  this
combination of positions could be a "mixed straddle" which is generally  subject
to special  tax rules  requiring  deferral  of losses and other  adjustments  in
addition  to being  subject  in part to Section  1256.  The  Portfolio  may make
certain tax  elections  for its "mixed  straddles"  which  could  alter  certain
effects of these  rules.  In order to qualify  as a RIC for  federal  income tax
purposes, a Holder must derive less than 30% of its annual gross income from the
sale or other  disposition of securities and certain other  investments held for
less than three months,  and the Portfolio will limit its activities in options,
options on futures contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts to the extent
necessary to enable the Holder to comply with this requirement.
    

     Income from transactions in options, options on futures contracts,  futures
contracts,  forward  contracts  derived  by the  Portfolio  with  respect to its
business of investing in securities  will qualify as permissible  income for its
Holders that are RICs under the  requirement  that at least 90% of a RIC's gross
income each taxable year consist of specified types of income.  However,  income
from the disposition by the Portfolio of options and futures  contracts held for
less than three months will be subject to the  requirement  applicable  to those
Holders  that less than 30% of a RIC's gross income each taxable year consist of
certain short-term gains ("Short-Short Limitation").

   
     If the Portfolio satisfies certain requirements, any increase in value of a
position that is part of a "designated  hedge" will be offset by any decrease in
value (whether  realized or not) of the offsetting  hedging  position during the
period of the hedge for  purposes of  determining  whether the Holders  that are
RICs satisfy the Short-Short  Limitation.  Thus, only the net gain (if any) from
the  designated  hedge will be  included  in gross  income for  purposes of that
limitation.  The Portfolio  will consider  whether it should seek to qualify for
this  treatment for its hedging  transactions.  To the extent the Portfolio does
not so qualify, it may be forced to defer the closing out of certain options and
futures  contracts beyond the time when it otherwise would be advantageous to do
so, in order for Holders that are RICs to continue to qualify as such.
    

     The  Portfolio's  investments,  if any, in securities  issued with original
issue  discount  (possibly  including  certain   asset-related   securities)  or
securities  acquired  at a market  discount  (if an  election is made to include
accrued market discount in current income) will cause it to realize income prior
to the receipt of cash  payments with respect to these  securities.  In order to
enable a Holder  to  distribute  its  proportionate  share of this  income,  the
Portfolio  may be  required  to  liquidate  portfolio  securities  that is might
otherwise  have  continued to hold in order to generate cash that the Holder may
withdraw  from  the  Portfolio  for  subsequent  distribution  to such  Holder's
shareholders.

     An entity  that is treated  as a  partnership  under the Code,  such as the
Portfolio, is generally treated as a partnership under state and local tax laws,
but certain states may have  different  entity  classification  criteria and may
therefore  reach  a  different  conclusion.  Entities  that  are  classified  as
partnerships  are not treated as taxable entities under most state and local tax
laws,  and the income of a  partnership  is  considered to be income of partners
both in timing and in character. The laws of the various states and local taxing
authorities vary with respect to the taxation of such interest  income,  as well
as to the status of a partnership  interest  under state and local tax laws, and
each holder of an interest  in the  Portfolio  is advised to consult his own tax
adviser.


                                      B-6
<PAGE>
     The foregoing  discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable
to  certain  classes  of  investors,  such  as  tax-exempt  entities,  insurance
companies and financial  institutions.  Investors  should  consult their own tax
advisers  with  respect to special tax rules that may apply in their  particular
situations, as well as the state, local or foreign tax consequences of investing
in the Portfolio.

ITEM 21. UNDERWRITERS

   
     The placement agent for the Portfolio is EVD. Investment companies,  common
and  commingled  trust  funds  and  similar   organizations   and  entities  may
continuously invest in the Portfolio.
    

ITEM 22. CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

     Not applicable.

ITEM 23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
     The   following   audited   financial   statements  of  the  Portfolio  are
incorporated  by  reference  into this Part B and have been so  incorporated  in
reliance  upon the report of  Deloitte & Touche,  independent  certified  public
accountants, as experts in accounting and auditing.

     Portfolio  of  Investments  as of March 31,  1997  
     Statement  of Assets and Liabilities  as of March 31, 1997  
     Statement of  Operations  for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 
     1997 and 1996
     Supplementary Data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, and
     for the period from the start of business, June 1, 1994, to March 31, 1995
     Notes to Financial Statements
     Independent Auditors' Report

     For  purposes  of the EDGAR  filing of this  amendment  to the  Portfolio's
registration  statement,  the  Portfolio  incorporates  by  reference  the above
audited  financial  statements,  as  previously  filed  electronically  with the
Commission (Accession Number 0000950109-97-004452).
    


                                      B-7
<PAGE>
                                     PART C

ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(A)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The  financial   statements   called  for  by this Item are incorporated by
     reference into Part B and listed in Item 23 hereof.

   
(B)  EXHIBITS

     1.   (a)  Declaration  of Trust dated May 1, 1992 filed as Exhibit No. 1(a)
          to  Registrant's  Registration  Statement and  incorporated  herein by
          reference.

          (b) Amendment  to   Declaration   of  Trust  dated June 14, 1993 filed
          as Exhibit  No. 1(b) to  Amendment  No. 1 and  incorporated  herein by
          reference.

     2.   By-Laws of the  Registrant  adopted May 1, 1992 filed as Exhibit No. 2
          to Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by reference.

     5.   Investment  Advisory  Agreement  between  the  Registrant  and  Boston
          Management  and Research  dated May 31, 1994 filed as Exhibit No. 5 to
          Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by reference.

     6.   Placement  Agent Agreement with Eaton Vance  Distributors,  Inc. dated
          November 1, 1996 filed herewith.

     7.   The Securities  and Exchange  Commission has granted the Registrant an
          exemptive  order that permits the  Registrant  to enter into  deferred
          compensation  arrangements with its independent  Trustees.  See In the
          Matter of Capital Exchange Fund, Inc.,  Release No. IC-20671 (November
          1, 1994).

     8.   (a) Custodian  Agreement with Investors Bank & Trust Company dated May
          31, 1994 filed as Exhibit No. 8 to  Amendment  No. 1 and  incorporated
          herein by reference.

          (b) Amendment  to  Custodian   Agreement  with  Investors Bank & Trust
          Company  dated  October  23,  1995  filed as  Exhibit  No.  (8)(b)  to
          Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     9.   (a) Accounting  and  Interestholder  Services  Agreement with IBT Fund
          Services (Canada) Inc. dated as of March 31, 1995 filed as Exhibit No.
          9(a) to Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by reference.

          (b)  Administration   Agreement  with  The  Bank  of Nova Scotia Trust
          Company  (Cayman) Ltd. dated as of March 31, 1995 filed as Exhibit No.
          9(b) to Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by reference.
    


                                      C-1
<PAGE>
     13.  Investment  representation  letter of Eaton  Vance High  Income  Trust
          dated March 14, 1994 filed as Exhibit  No. 13 to  Amendment  No. 1 and
          incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

     Not applicable.

   
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

                 (1)                                         (2)
                                                          NUMBER OF
           TITLE OF CLASS                              RECORD HOLDERS
           --------------                              --------------
                                                     As of July 1, 1997

              Interests                                       3

ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION

     Article V of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust contains indemnification
provisions  for  Trustees  and  officers.  The  Trustees  and  officers  of  the
Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant's  investment adviser are insured
under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy.

     The Placement Agent Agreement also provides for reciprocal indemnity of the
placement agent, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers on the other.
    

ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS

     To the knowledge of the Portfolio,  none of the trustees or officers of the
Portfolio's  investment  adviser,  except  as set forth on its Form ADV as filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  is engaged in any other business,
profession,  vocation or employment of a substantial nature, except that certain
trustees and officers  also hold various  positions  with and engage in business
for affiliates of the investment adviser.

ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

     Not applicable.

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

   
     All applicable  accounts,  books and documents required to be maintained by
the  Registrant  by  Section  31(a) of the 1940 Act,  and the Rules  promulgated
thereunder  are in the  possession  and custody of the  Registrant's  custodian,
Investors Bank & Trust Company,  200 Clarendon Street,  16th Floor Mail Code ADM
27,  Boston,  MA 02116,  with the exception of certain  corporate  documents and
portfolio  trading  documents  that are in the  possession  and  custody  of the
Registrant's  investment  adviser,  Boston  Management and Research,  24 Federal
Street,  Boston, MA 02110. Certain corporate documents of the Portfolio are also
maintained by IBT Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd., The Bank of Nova Scotia Building,
P.O. Box 501, George Town,  Grand Cayman,  Cayman Islands,  British West Indies,
    


                                      C-2
<PAGE>
and  certain  investor  account  and  Portfolio  accounting  records are held by
IBT Fund Services (Canada) Inc., 1 First Canadian Place, King Street West, Suite
2800, P.O. Box 231, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1C8. The Registrant is informed
that all applicable  accounts,  books and documents required to be maintained by
registered  investment  advisers  are  in  the  custody  and  possession  of the
Registrant's investment adviser.

ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

     Not applicable.

ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS

     Not applicable.


                                      C-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

   
     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration  Statement on Form
N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in
the City of Hamilton, Bermuda on the 23rd day of June, 1997.

                              HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO

                              By /s/ M. Dozier Gardner
                                 ---------------------
                                     M. Dozier Gardner
                                     President




<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.       Description of Exhibit
- -----------       ----------------------

     (6)           Placement Agent Agreement with Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
                   dated November 1, 1996
    

                            PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT



                                                                November 1, 1996


Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
24 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02110

Gentlemen:

         This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter
contained,  the undersigned,  High Income  Portfolio (the "Trust"),  an open-end
non-diversified  management  investment  company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), organized as a New York trust,
has agreed  that Eaton  Vance  Distributors,  Inc.  ("EVD"),  formerly  named EV
Distributors,  Inc.,  shall be the placement  agent (the  "Placement  Agent") of
Interests in the Trust ("Trust Interests").

         1.  Services as Placement Agent.

         1.1 EVD will act as Placement Agent of the Trust  Interests  covered by
the Trust's registration  statement then in effect under the 1940 Act. In acting
as Placement  Agent under this Placement  Agent  Agreement,  neither EVD nor its
employees or any agents thereof shall make any offer or sale of Trust  Interests
in a manner which would require the Trust  Interests to be registered  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").

         1.2 All  activities  by EVD and its agents and  employees  as Placement
Agent of Trust  Interests  shall  comply  with all  applicable  laws,  rules and
regulations,  including,  without limitation,  all rules and regulations adopted
pursuant  to the  1940  Act by  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission").

         1.3 Nothing  herein  shall be  construed to require the Trust to accept
any offer to  purchase  any Trust  Interests,  all of which  shall be subject to
approval by the Board of Trustees.

         1.4 The Trust  shall  furnish  from time to time for use in  connection
with the sale of Trust Interests such  information with respect to the Trust and
Trust Interests as EVD may reasonably request.  The Trust shall also furnish EVD
upon request with: (a) unaudited semiannual  statements of the Trust's books and
accounts  prepared  by the  Trust,  and (b) from  time to time  such  additional
information  regarding the Trust's financial or regulatory  condition as EVD may
reasonably request.

         1.5 The Trust represents to EVD that all registration  statements filed
by the  Trust  with the  Commission  under  the 1940 Act with  respect  to Trust
Interests have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of such statute
and the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission  thereunder.  As used in this
Agreement  the  term  "registration   statement"  shall  mean  any  registration
statement  filed with the Commission as modified by any amendments  thereto that
at any time shall have been  filed  with the  Commission  by or on behalf of the
Trust. The Trust represents and warrants to EVD that any registration  statement
will contain all  statements  required to be stated  therein in conformity  with
both such  statute and the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission;  that all
statements  of fact  contained in any  registration  statement  will be true and
correct  in all  material  respects  at the time of filing of such  registration
statement or amendment thereto; and that no registration  statement will include


<PAGE>
                                       2


an  untrue   statement   of  a  material  fact or omit to state a material  fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not
misleading  to a purchaser  of Trust  Interests.  The Trust may but shall not be
obligated  to  propose  from time to time  such  amendment  to any  registration
statement  as in the light of future  developments  may,  in the  opinion of the
Trust's counsel, be necessary or advisable.  If the Trust shall not propose such
amendment and/or  supplement within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a
written  request  from EVD to do so,  EVD may,  at its  option,  terminate  this
Agreement.  The Trust shall not file any amendment to any registration statement
without giving EVD reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided, however, that
nothing  contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust's right to
file at any time such amendment to any  registration  statement as the Trust may
deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

         1.6 The Trust  agrees to  indemnify,  defend and hold EVD,  its several
officers  and  directors,  and any person who controls EVD within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of
1934 (the  "1934  Act")  (for  purposes  of this  paragraph  1.6,  collectively,
"Covered  Persons")  free and  harmless  from and  against  any and all  claims,
demands,  liabilities  and  expenses  (including  the cost of  investigating  or
defending such claims,  demands or liabilities  and any counsel fees incurred in
connection therewith) which any Covered Person may incur under the 1933 Act, the
1934  Act,  common  law or  otherwise,  arising  out of or based  on any  untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any  registration  statement,  private
placement memorandum or other offering material ("Offering Material") or arising
out of or based on any omission to state a material  fact  required to be stated
in any Offering  Material or necessary  to make the  statements  in any Offering
Material  not  misleading;  provided,  however,  that the Trust's  agreement  to
indemnify  Covered  Persons  shall not be deemed to cover any  claims,  demands,
liabilities or expenses arising out of any financial and other statements as are
furnished in writing to the Trust by EVD in its capacity as Placement  Agent for
use in the  answers  to  any  items  of  any  registration  statement  or in any
statements  made in any  Offering  Material,  or arising  out of or based on any
omission or alleged  omission to state a material  fact in  connection  with the
giving of such information required to be stated in such answers or necessary to
make the answers not misleading; and further provided that the Trust's agreement
to indemnify EVD and the Trust's representations and warranties hereinbefore set
forth in this  paragraph  1.6 shall not be deemed to cover any  liability to the
Trust or its investors to which a Covered  Person would  otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties,  or by reason of a Covered  Person's  reckless  disregard  of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Trust should be notified of any
action brought  against a Covered  Person,  such  notification  to be given by a
writing addressed to the Trust, 24 Federal Street Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,
with a copy to the Administrator of the Trust,  Eaton Vance  Management,  at the
same address, promptly after the summons or other first legal process shall have
been duly and  completely  served upon such  Covered  Person.  The failure to so
notify  the Trust of any such  action  shall  not  relieve  the  Trust  from any
liability  except to the extent the Trust  shall  have been  prejudiced  by such
failure,  or from any  liability  that the Trust may have to the Covered  Person
against  whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue  statement  or
omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained
in this paragraph.  The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim,  demand or  liability,  but in such case such
defense shall be conducted by counsel of good  standing  chosen by the Trust and
approved by EVD, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event
the Trust  elects to assume the  defense of any such suit and retain  counsel of
good  standing  approved by EVD, the  defendant or defendants in such suit shall
bear the fees and expenses of any  additional  counsel  retained by any of them;
but in case the Trust does not elect to assume  the  defense of any such suit or
in case EVD  reasonably  does not  approve of counsel  chosen by the Trust,  the
Trust will reimburse the Covered Person named as defendant in such suit, for the


<PAGE>
                                       3


fees   and   expenses   of  any   counsel  retained  by EVD or it.  The  Trust's
indemnification   agreement   contained  in  this   paragraph  and  the  Trust's
representations  and warranties in this Agreement shall remain  operative and in
full force and effect  regardless of any  investigation  made by or on behalf of
Covered  Persons,  and shall survive the delivery of any Trust  Interests.  This
agreement  of  indemnity  will inure  exclusively  to Covered  Persons and their
successors.  The Trust agrees to notify EVD promptly of the  commencement of any
litigation or  proceedings  against the Trust or any of its officers or Trustees
in connection with the issue and sale of any Trust Interests.

         1.7 EVD agrees to  indemnify,  defend and hold the Trust,  its  several
officers and trustees,  and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or  Section  20 of the 1934 Act (for  purposes  of
this paragraph 1.7, collectively,  "Covered Persons") free and harmless from and
against any and all claims,  demands,  liabilities  and expenses  (including the
costs of  investigating or defending such claims,  demands,  liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection  therewith)  that Covered  Persons may incur
under the 1933 Act,  the 1934 Act or common  law or  otherwise,  but only to the
extent that such  liability or expense  incurred by a Covered  Person  resulting
from  such  claims  or  demands  shall  arise  out of or be based on any  untrue
statement of a material fact  contained in  information  furnished in writing by
EVD in its  capacity as  Placement  Agent to the Trust for use in the answers to
any of the items of any registration statement or in any statements in any other
Offering  Material or shall arise out of or be based on any  omission to state a
material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by EVD to
the Trust  required  to be  stated in such  answers  or  necessary  to make such
information not misleading.  EVD shall be notified of any action brought against
a Covered Person, such notification to be given by a writing addressed to EVD at
24 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02110,  promptly after the summons or
other first legal process shall have been duly and  completely  served upon such
Covered Person.  EVD shall have the right of first control of the defense of the
action with counsel of its own choosing satisfactory to the Trust if such action
is based solely on such alleged  misstatement  or omission on EVD's part, and in
any other event each Covered  Person shall have the right to  participate in the
defense or  preparation  of the  defense of any such  action.  The failure to so
notify EVD of any such action shall not relieve EVD from any liability except to
the extent the Trust shall have been  prejudiced  by such  failure,  or from any
liability  that EVD may have to Covered  Persons by reason of any such untrue or
alleged untrue  statement,  or omission or alleged  omission,  otherwise than on
account of EVD's indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

         1.8 No Trust  Interests  shall be  offered  by either  EVD or the Trust
under any of the  provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or
sale of Trust Interests  hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long
as the effectiveness of the registration  statement or any necessary  amendments
thereto  shall be suspended  under any of the  provisions of the 1933 Act or the
1940 Act; provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in
any way restrict or have an application to or bearing on the Trust's  obligation
to redeem Trust Interests from any investor in accordance with the provisions of
the Trust's registration statement or Declaration of Trust, as amended from time
to time.

         1.9 The Trust agrees to advise EVD as soon as reasonably practical by a
notice in writing delivered to EVD or its counsel:

     (a) of any request by the  Commission  for  amendments to the  registration
statement then in effect or for additional information;

     (b) in the  event of the  issuance  by the  Commission  of any  stop  order
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or the
initiation  by  service  of  process  on the  Trust of any  proceeding  for that
purpose;


<PAGE>
                                       4


     (c) of the  happening  of any event that makes  untrue any  statement  of a
material fact made in the registration statement then in effect or that requires
the  making  of a change  in such  registration  statement  in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; and

     (d) of all action of the  Commission  with respect to any  amendment to any
registration statement that may from time to time be filed with the Commission.

         For purposes of this paragraph 1.9, informal requests by or acts of the
Staff of the  Commission  shall  not be deemed  actions  of or  requests  by the
Commission.

         1.10  EVD  agrees  on  behalf  of  itself  and its  employees  to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other
information  not  otherwise  publicly  available  relative  to the Trust and its
prior,  present  or  potential  investors  and  not  to  use  such  records  and
information for any purpose other than performance of its  responsibilities  and
duties hereunder,  except after prior notification to and approval in writing by
the Trust,  which  approval  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld and may not be
withheld where EVD may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt  proceedings for
failure  to  comply,   when  requested  to  divulge  such  information  by  duly
constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.

         2.  Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

         This Agreement  shall become  effective upon the date of its execution,
and, unless terminated as herein provided, shall remain in full force and effect
through and  including  February  28, 1997 and shall  continue in full force and
effect  indefinitely  thereafter,  but  only so long as such  continuance  after
February 28, 1997 is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of
Trustees  of the  Trust  or by  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Trust and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those  Trustees of
the Trust who are not interested persons of EVD or the Trust cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

         Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days' prior  written
notice to the  other,  terminate  this  agreement  without  the  payment  of any
penalty, by action of Trustees of the Trust or the Directors of EVD, as the case
may be,  and the  Trust  may,  at any time  upon  such  written  notice  to EVD,
terminate  this  Agreement  by  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Trust.  This Agreement  shall terminate  automatically  in the
event of its assignment.

         3.  Representations and Warranties.

         EVD and the Trust each hereby represents and warrants to the other that
it has all requisite authority to enter into,  execute,  deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and that, with respect to it, this Agreement is
legal, valid and binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         4.  Limitation of Liability.

         EVD expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust (Sections 5.2 and 5.6) limiting the personal liability of the Trustees
and officers of the Trust,  and EVD hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to
the Trust for  payment of claims or  obligations  as  between  the Trust and EVD
arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek  satisfaction  from any Trustee
or officer of the Trust.


<PAGE>
                                       5


         5.  Certain Definitions.

         The terms "assignment" and "interested  persons" when used herein shall
have the respective  meanings specified in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as
now in effect or as hereafter  amended subject,  however,  to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation
or order.  The term "vote of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities"
shall mean the vote, at a meeting of Holders, of the lesser of (a) 67 per centum
or more of the  Interests in the Trust  present or  represented  by proxy at the
meeting if the Holders of more than 50 per centum of the  outstanding  Interests
in the Trust are present or  represented  by proxy at the  meeting,  or (b) more
than  50 per  centum  of the  outstanding  Interests  in the  Trust.  The  terms
"Holders" and  "Interests"  when used herein shall have the respective  meanings
specified in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust.

         6.  Concerning Applicable Provisions of Law, etc.

         This Agreement  shall be subject to all  applicable  provisions of law,
including the  applicable  provisions of the 1940 Act and to the extent that any
provisions herein contained conflict with any such applicable provisions of law,
the latter shall control.

         The laws of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  shall,  except to the
extent  that any  applicable  provisions  of federal  law shall be  controlling,
govern  the  construction,  validity  and  effect  of  this  Agreement,  without
reference to principles of conflicts of law.

         If the  contract  set forth  herein  is  acceptable  to you,  please so
indicate by executing the enclosed copy of this Agreement and returning the same
to the undersigned, whereupon this Agreement shall constitute a binding contract
between  the  parties  hereto  effective  at the closing of business on the date
hereof.

                              Yours very truly,

                              HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO



                              By: /s/ James B. Hawkes
                                  -------------------------
                                      Vice President

Accepted:

EATON VANCE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.


By: /s/ Wharton P. Whitaker
    ---------------------------
        President

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<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
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<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           686684
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          195364
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
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