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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001010521-98-000183.txt : 19980219
<SEC-HEADER>0001010521-98-000183.hdr.sgml : 19980219
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001010521-98-000183
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980218
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK JOHN CALIFORNIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000856671
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-31675
		FILM NUMBER:		98544510

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7137512400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TRANSAMERICA CALIFORNIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>JOHN HANCOCK CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME
<TEXT>


    Supplement to the John Hancock Tax Funds Prospectus dated January 1, 1998


The  "Portfolio  Management"  section has been changed for  California  Tax-Free
Income Fund, High Yield Tax-Free Fund,  Massachusetts  Tax Free Income Fund, New
York Tax-Free Income Fund and Tax-Free Bond Fund as follows:

Barry H.  Evans,  CFA,  leads the fund's  portfolio  management  team with Frank
Lucibella,  CFA and Dianne Sales, CFA. Mr. Evans, senior vice president,  joined
John Hancock Funds in 1986 and has been on the  management  team since 1996. Mr.
Lucibella, second vice president, has been in the investment business since 1982
and joined John Hancock Funds in 1988. He became part of the management  team in
1995. Ms. Sales, vice president,  has been in the investment business since 1984
and joined John Hancock Funds in 1989.  She has also been part of the management
team since 1995.


February 17, 1998

TEXPS-2-98


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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