JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II 101 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199

EXHIBIT (7)(b)

XXXX XXXXXXX INVESTMENT TRUST II
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000

Xxxx Xxxxxxx Funds, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Pursuant to Section 14 of the Distribution Agreement dated as of November 13, 1996 between Xxxx Xxxxxxx Investment Trust II (the “Trust”) and Xxxx Xxxxxxx Funds, Inc., please be advised that the Trust has established a new series of its shares, namely, Xxxx Xxxxxxx Special Value Fund (the “Fund”), and please be further advised that the Trust desires to retain Xxxx Xxxxxxx Funds, Inc. to serve as distributor and principal underwriter under the Distribution Agreement for the Fund.

     Please indicate your acceptance of this responsibility by signing this letter as indicated below.

XXXX XXXXXXX FUNDS, INC.				XXXX XXXXXXX INVESTMENT TRUST II
By:		/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.		By:		/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
		Chairman, President & CEO				President

Dated: October 31, 1998