DRAFT OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, SUBJECT TO CHANGE John Hancock Bond Trust 601 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 John Hancock Strategic Series 601 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 Ladies and Gentlemen: This opinion is being delivered...Agreement and Plan of Reorganization • September 19th, 2005 • Hancock John Bond Trust/
This opinion is being delivered to you in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") made as of ______, 2005 by and between John Hancock Bond Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, on behalf of its series, John Hancock High Yield Fund ("Acquiring Fund"), and John Hancock Strategic Series, a Massachusetts business trust, on behalf of its series, John Hancock High Income Fund ("Acquired Fund"). Pursuant to the Agreement, Acquiring Fund will acquire all of the assets of Acquired Fund in exchange solely for (i) the assumption by Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of Acquired Fund, as defined in the Agreement (the "Acquired Fund Liabilities"), and (ii) the issuance of Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares of beneficial interest of Acquiring Fund (the "Acquiring Fund Shares") to Acquired Fund, followed by the distribution by Acquired Fund, in liquidation of Acquired Fund, of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of Acquired Fund and
