JOHN HANCOCK EQUITY TRUST 101 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199 John Hancock Funds, Inc. 101 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199 Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Section 14 of the Distribution Agreement dated as of August 1, 1991 between John Hancock...

                            XXXX XXXXXXX EQUITY TRUST
                              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 August
1, 1991 between Xxxx Xxxxxxx Equity Trust (the "Trust") and Xxxx Xxxxxxx Broker
Distribution Services, Inc., now known as Xxxx Xxxxxxx Funds, Inc., please be
advised that the Trust has established a new series of its shares, namely, Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Growth Trends 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 EQUITY TRUST
                                    On behalf of Xxxx Xxxxxxx Growth Trends Fund



By:   /s/Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx              By:        /s/Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
      -------------------                         ------------------
         Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx                            Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
         President                                   President


Dated:  August 28, 2000