prec14a06290017_01312008.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.  )

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¨           Definitive Additional Materials

¨           Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC
WESTERN INVESTMENT HEDGED PARTNERS L.P.
WESTERN INVESTMENT ACTIVISM PARTNERS LLC
WESTERN INVESTMENT TOTAL RETURN PARTNERS L.P.
WESTERN INVESTMENT TOTAL RETURN FUND LTD.
ARTHUR D. LIPSON
ROBERT A. WOOD
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
DATED JANUARY 31, 2008

 
WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC
 
[___________], 2008
 
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
 
Western Investment LLC (“Western”) together with our fellow participants in this solicitation is one of the largest investors in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (“HTD” or the “Fund”).  We write to you regarding the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Monday March 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.  Western believes that the current board of trustees of HTD (the “Board”) has failed to act in your best interests.  Western is therefore seeking your support at the annual meeting of shareholders for the following purposes:
 
 
1.
To elect Western’s slate of nominees to the Board, each to hold office until the 2011 annual meeting of HTD’s shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualify;
 
 
2.
To consider HTD’s proposal to eliminate the Fund’s “concentration” policy (i.e. investing at least at least 25% of its net assets) with respect to securities issued by financial services corporations;
 
 
3.
To consider HTD’s proposal to modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in foreign corporations, as well as U.S. corporations (as required under the Fund’s current policy); and
 
 
4.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
Western urges you to carefully consider the information contained in the attached proxy statement and then support its efforts by voting your shares today by telephone or via the Internet as detailed in the enclosed WHITE proxy card, or by signing, dating and returning today the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided.  The attached proxy statement and WHITE proxy card are first being furnished to the shareholders on or about [_________], 2008.
 
If you have already sent a proxy card furnished by HTD’s management to HTD, you have every right to change your vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed WHITE proxy card or by following the instructions for telephone or internet voting detailed thereon.  Only your latest dated proxy card counts!
 
If you have any questions or require assistance voting your shares, please contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, who is assisting us, at their address and toll-free number listed on the following page.
Thank you for your support,
 
 
Arthur D. Lipson
Western Investment LLC







 
If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please call:
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
 
Shareholders Call Toll-Free at: (877) 456-3510
Banks and Brokers Call Collect at: (212) 750-5833
 
 



 
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
 
·
Our interests are aligned with yours (page 4)
   
·
HTD’s history of a persistent double-digit NAV discount is unacceptable (page 4)
   
·
The Board has failed to take effective and timely action to reduce the Fund’s NAV discount and has failed to make accretive repurchases that could benefit shareholders (page 5)
   



Additional information can be found at:
www.fixmyfund.com

2


PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
DATED JANUARY 31, 2008
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
_________________________
 
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC
_________________________
 
Please vote your Shares today by telephone or Internet, as described in the enclosed WHITE proxy card, or by signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided.
 
Western Investment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Western” or “we”), is a significant shareholder of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (“HTD” or the “Fund”).  Western is writing to you in connection with the election of two nominees to the board of trustees of HTD (the “Board”), at the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Monday March 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, including any adjournments or postponements thereof and any meeting that may be called in lieu thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).  This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the enclosed WHITE proxy card are first being furnished to shareholders on or about [__________], 2008.
 
This proxy statement and the enclosed WHITE proxy card are being furnished to shareholders of HTD by Western in connection with the solicitation of proxies from HTD’s shareholders for the following proposals:
 
 
1.
To elect Western’s slate of nominees to the Board, each to hold office until the 2011 Annual Meeting of HTD’s shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualify;
 
 
2.
To consider HTD’s proposal to eliminate the Fund’s “concentration” policy (i.e. investing at least at least 25% of its net assets) with respect to securities issued by financial services corporations;
 
 
3.
To consider HTD’s proposal to modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in foreign corporations, as well as U.S. corporations (as required under the Fund’s current policy); and
 
 
4.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
Western, Western Investment Hedged Partners L.P. (“WIHP”), Western Investment Activism Partners LLC (“WIAP”), Western Investment Total Return Fund Ltd., (“WITRL”), Western Investment Total Return Partners L.P. (“WITRP”), Arthur D. Lipson and Robert A. Wood are members of a group (the “Group”) formed in connection with this proxy solicitation and are deemed participants in this proxy solicitation.
 

1


HTD has set the close of business on January 24, 2008 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  The mailing address of the principal executive offices of HTD is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.  Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
According to HTD, as of the Record Date, there were 42,077,487 common shares of beneficial interest, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”) outstanding and 15,200 preferred shares of beneficial interest (the “Preferred Shares” and together with the Common Shares, the “Shares”) outstanding.  Holders of the Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share on all business of the Annual Meeting including any adjournment or postponement thereof.  Holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to vote for all business at the Annual Meeting except for the election of trustees.  As of the Record Date, Western, along with all of the participants in this solicitation, were the beneficial owners of an aggregate of approximately 1,971,145 Common Shares, which represents approximately 4.7% of the Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date.  The participants in this solicitation intend to vote such Common Shares for the election of Western’s nominee trustees.
 
THIS SOLICITATION IS BEING MADE BY WESTERN AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR MANAGEMENT OF HTD.  WESTERN IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MATTERS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.  SHOULD OTHER MATTERS, WHICH WESTERN IS NOT AWARE OF WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME BEFORE THIS SOLICITATION, BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES IN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD WILL VOTE ON SUCH MATTERS IN THEIR DISCRETION.
 
WESTERN URGES YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE ELECTION OF WESTERN’S NOMINEES EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR BY INTERNET AS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY.
 
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN A PROXY TO HTD’S MANAGEMENT, YOU MAY REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF WESTERN’S NOMINEES BY VOTING YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR BY INTERNET AS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD.  THE LATEST DATED PROXY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS.  ANY PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING BY AUTHORIZING A LATER PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET OR BY DELIVERING A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION OR A LATER DATED PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO WESTERN, C/O INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, WHICH IS ASSISTING IN THIS SOLICITATION, OR TO THE SECRETARY OF HTD (WITH A COPY TO INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED), OR BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
 

2


IMPORTANT
 
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY OR HOW FEW SHARES YOU OWN.
 
If you have already sent a proxy card furnished by HTD’s management to HTD, you have every right to change your vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed WHITE proxy card or by following the instructions for telephone or internet voting detailed thereon.  Only your latest dated proxy card counts!
 
You may vote your Shares by telephone or Internet, as described in the enclosed WHITE proxy card, or by signing, dating and returning today the enclosed WHITE proxy card, marked FOR the election of Western’s nominees.
 
·
If your Shares are registered in your own name, you may vote your Shares by following the instructions for Internet voting detailed on the enclosed WHITE proxy card, by calling the toll-free number contained therein, or by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the enclosed return envelope to Western, c/o Innisfree M&A Incorporated, in the enclosed postage-paid envelope today.
 
·
If any of your Shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, bank nominee or other institution on the Record Date, only it can vote such Shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.  Accordingly, please provide your broker or bank with voting instructions to vote on your behalf the WHITE proxy card.  In addition, if you hold your Shares in a brokerage or bank account, your broker or bank may allow you to provide your voting instructions by telephone or Internet.  Please consult the materials you receive from your broker or bank prior to authorizing a proxy by telephone or Internet.  Western urges you to confirm your instructions in writing to the person responsible for your account and to provide a copy of such instructions to Western, c/o Innisfree M&A Incorporated, who is assisting in this solicitation, at the address and telephone numbers set forth below, and on the back cover of this proxy statement, so that we may be aware of all instructions and can attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.
 
If you have any questions or need assistance voting your Shares, please call:
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
 
Shareholders Call Toll-Free at: (877) 456-3510
Banks and Brokers Call Collect at: (212) 750-5833
 

 
Additional information can be found at:
www.fixmyfund.com
 


3


PROPOSAL NO. 1
 
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
 
Our interests are aligned with yours
 
Western and the other participants are significant investors in HTD and remain committed to our investment in the Fund.  We are currently one of HTD’s largest shareholders.  Our interests are aligned with the interests of all shareholders – if our investment in HTD prospers, so does yours.  We have no intention of seeking to open-end or liquidate HTD.  Western proposes to elect Arthur D. Lipson and Robert A. Wood as nominees (together the “Nominees”) to the Board.  The Nominees must be elected by the holders of a plurality of HTD’s outstanding Common Shares.
 
Western believes that our two Nominees have extensive experience in private and public investment, a history of outstanding investment records, and have outstanding credentials.  If elected, the Nominees will work on behalf of all shareholders to influence each member of the Board to take all actions necessary to maximize the value of your Shares and to reduce HTD’s share price net asset value discount to less than 3% of the underlying value of its Shares.
 
HTD’s history of a persistent double-digit NAV discount is unacceptable
 
HTD’s share price has traded at a double-digit discount to its per share net asset value (“NAV”) for most of its operating history, reaching as low as 17% in May 2006.  We believe that the persistence of this discount was, in part, due to the perception that the persistent and substantial NAV discount was not being addressed by the Board.  A steep NAV discount damages shareholders in that, should a shareholder choose to leave the Fund, they must sell their shares at a discounted market price and leave behind a sizeable portion of the value underlying their Shares.  We believe the fair value of a share of common stock of a closed end fund should be its NAV, or a value very close.
 
The table below shows the discount of HTD’s stock price to HTD’s NAV since March 31, 2005 (on the last day of each calendar quarter).
 
Date
(Discount) to NAV
03/31/05
(14.559)
06/30/05
(13.710)
09/30/05
(14.964)
12/30/05
(15.454)
03/31/06
(15.104)
06/30/06
(15.366)
09/29/06
(13.361)
12/29/06
(11.135)
03/30/07
(12.559)
06/29/07
(12.584)
09/28/07
(13.403)
12/31/07
(10.455)
 
As an HTD shareholder, Western is extremely concerned about the Fund’s historical excessive NAV discount and its affect on shareholder value.  For example, assume HTD trades at a NAV discount of 13.55% (the Fund’s average from March 31, 2005 through December 31, 2007).  What this means is that for each $1 of underlying HTD net asset value, a share of HTD common stock would trade at approximately 86.5 cents.  So long as the NAV discount persists, exiting HTD shareholders who sell their Shares will sell them at a discount to the underlying NAV.  Additionally, for those shareholders unfortunate enough to have purchased Shares upon the offering in February 2004, in addition to having to deal with the persistent double-digit discount to NAV, they were also forced to pay a 4.5% sales and underwriting load to purchase their Shares, thereby further harming investment returns.  Accordingly, for investors in the initial offering, after giving effect to the initial commission, HTD shareholders have at times experienced in excess of 20% of NAV lost value.

4


To put this in perspective, of the 655 closed-end funds currently in existence, in terms of its NAV discount HTD has been ranked in the worst 10% from February 25, 2005 through October 26, 2007 for 99% of the weeks and in the bottom 1% for 13 weeks.  Despite this continual bottom market rating for years the Board has sat idly by while the Fund’s NAV discount was excessive, frequently above 10%.  As a shareholder we believe this is unacceptable.  Given such circumstances, we believe the Board has not been properly looking after shareholders’ best interests or earned the premium charged to shareholders, who, in turn, have not seen a justification for the premium they paid as part of their initial investment or their recurring management fees.
 
The Board has failed to take effective action to reduce the NAV discount
 
We believe the Board’s inaction is symptomatic of its indifference to the plight of HTD’s shareholders.  As you can see from the chart below, HTD’s NAV discount languished in the bottom 10% of all funds FOR OVER TWO YEARS.  It was not until the fall of 2007, after Western delivered a nomination letter to the Board nominating our two trustee nominees, that shareholders finally saw an improvement in HTD’s NAV discount.
 

 
Only after Western delivered its nomination letter to the Board, did the Board began to take any definitive steps towards correcting HTD’s NAV discount.  However, shareholders had already suffered through a full two years of excessive NAV discounts before the Board was spurred to action.  Even then it took the threat of a proxy contest before shareholders saw any reaction from the Board.  We find this unacceptable.  Why did the Board wait so long to react?  It is hard to believe that the Board was ignorant of the harm of the lost value resulting from such a steep NAV discount had on shareholders.  Had Western not delivered its nomination letter, would the Board have taken the actions it did?  Shareholders need a Board that is primarily and continuously responsive to their best interests.
 
SHAREHOLDERS DO NOT DESERVE A REACTIVE BOARD; THEY DESERVE A PROACTIVE ONE - ONE THAT SOLELY ACTS WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS IN MIND.
 

5

 
Closed-end funds such as HTD require a strong and independent board to properly protect the rights of shareholders
 
A closed-end fund such as HTD is frequently formed by or on behalf of the entity, or its affiliate, that ultimately becomes the manager of the fund.  The fund manager, or its affiliate, earns profits through management fees.  The fund manager’s interest is likely in maximizing its profits, which it does by having the highest amount of assets in the fund.  Accordingly, certain actions that may benefit shareholders such as large dividens or a stock buyback likely will reduce profits for the fund manager by reducing assets under management.  Western believes that closed-end fund managers often use their influence with their hand-picked boards to maximize management fees rather than focusing on increasing NAV and earnings per share through, among other things, the repurchase of shares at a discount to NAV.
 
During the past three years when HTD was trading at its significant NAV discount, the Board sat idle instead of instituting a repurchase of the Shares.  We believe repurchasing HTD’s Shares at such a discount would have reduced the lost value selling shareholders suffered due to the NAV discount while, at the same time, increasing the NAV and earnings per share for remaining shareholders.  To us, this seems like a double win for shareholders.  Yet the Board chose to do nothing.  We wonder, how much did the fact that fees collected by HTD’s fund manager are calculated based the amount of assets under management affect the Board’s decision?
 
As shareholders are aware, the Board eventually took action, but waited until after Western gave notice of its intent to nominate trustees at the Annual Meeting to do so.  Even then the Board’s actions were inadequate at best – and seemed, to us, an attempt to placate Western rather than an attempt to address the underlying NAV discount that affects all shareholders.
 
Each HTD trustee that currently serves on the Board serves on no fewer than 55 other John Hancock Funds and individually collects over $100,000 in fees annually for their services.  According to HTD’s proxy statement, each independent trustee may also accrue deferred compensation, which, under the John Hancock Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees, may be invested in shares of one or more funds in the John Hancock Fund complex.  As of December 31, 2007, the independent trustees had an aggregate of over $1.2 million in deferred compensation available to invest yet, as a group, they hold less than 3,000 of the 42,077,487 Common Shares outstanding.  Is it any wonder that the Board was so slow to react to the Fund’s steep NAV discount?  Between their services on the boards of other John Hancock funds, their six-figure annual fees and lack of real ownership in HTD, can the Board be trusted to show the willingness necessary to ensure HTD’s shareholders receive the maximum value for their investment in the Fund?
 
SHAREHOLDERS ARE ENTITLED TO A BOARD THAT WILL ACT IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS.  AS SHAREHOLDERS WITH A REAL OWNERSHIP IN THE FUND, OUR NOMINEES’ INTERESTS ARE ALIGNED WITH YOURS.
 
OUR NOMINEES
 
The following information sets forth the name, age, business address, present principal occupation, and employment and material occupations, positions, offices, or employments for the past five years of each of our Nominees.
 
Arthur D. Lipson (Age 65) has been managing private investment partnerships since 1995.  He has been the sole managing member of Western Investment, a Delaware limited liability company, which has acted as the general partner, managing member or investment manager, as the case may be, of private investment partnerships in certain funds since 1997.  Western Investment specializes in investing in undervalued companies.  Mr. Lipson has additional substantial experience in sales and trading and research, including previously heading all fixed income research for Lehman Brothers and for Paine Webber, was a known leader in the industry, and created, among other things, the Lehman Brothers bond indices.  Mr. Lipson received a Masters of Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science from the California Institute of Technology.  Mr. Lipson currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Pioneer Municipal and Equity Income Trust (NYSE:PBF).  Mr. Lipson does not currently hold, nor has he at any time held, any position with HTD.  Mr. Lipson does not oversee any portfolios in HTD’s Fund Complex.
 
Robert A. Wood (Age 70) has been a Distinguished Professor of Finance at the University of Memphis, since July 1990. Professor Wood previously taught at Penn State University and New York University. His education includes a PhD in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh, a Masters in Operations Research from Stanford University, and a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Washington. He was a member of the Presidential Task Force on Market Mechanisms (The Brady Commission) that studied the market crash in 1987, and a founding member of the NASD Economic Advisory Board.  Professor Wood is the founder and Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Security Markets, a nonprofit Educational Foundation that promotes securities markets research by providing transactions data to academic institutions.  Professor Wood does not currently hold, nor has he at any time held, any position with HTD.  Professor Wood does not oversee any portfolios in HTD’s Fund Complex.
 

6

 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES
 
As of the date hereof, the dollar range of shares of the Trust beneficially owned by each Nominee is as follows:
 
Name of Nominee
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in HTD
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All Funds to be Overseen by Nominee
Arthur D. Lipson
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Robert A. Wood
--
--
 
None of the Nominees, their affiliates or any other related persons, has, during the past 5 years, held any position, including as an officer, employee, director or general partner, with (i) HTD, (ii) any investment company, or any person that would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1) and (c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), having the same investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company (as such item is defined in the 1940 Act) or under the control of such investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company, as HTD, (iii) HTD’s investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company and (v) any person, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control of HTD’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or Sponsoring Insurance Company.
 
Since the beginning of HTD’s last two completed fiscal years, no officer of an investment adviser, principal underwriter, or Sponsoring Insurance Company, or of a person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control thereby, serves, or has served, on the board of directors of a company of which a Nominee is an officer.
 
Since the beginning of HTD’s last two completed fiscal years, no Nominee or any of his associates was a party to any transaction, or series of similar transactions or is a party to any currently proposed transaction, or series of similar transactions, in which the amount involved exceeded or is to exceed $120,000, to which (i) HTD, (ii) any of its officers, (iii) any investment company, or officer thereof, or any person, or officer thereof, that would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1) and (c)(7) of the 1940 Act, having the same investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company or under the control of such investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company, as HTD, (iv) HTD’s investment adviser, principal underwriter or Sponsoring Insurance Company, or officer thereof, (v) any person, or officer thereof, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control of HTD’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or Sponsoring Insurance Company, was or is to be a party.
 
The information provided above has been furnished to Western by the Nominees.  The Nominees are citizens of the United States of America.  Neither of the Nominees is an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
 
YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF WESTERN’S NOMINEES ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD.
 

7


PROPOSAL NO. 2:
 
HTD PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE THE FUND’S FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATIONS CONCENTRATION POLICY
 
As discussed in further detail in the Fund’s proxy statement in the section titled “PROPOSAL TWO,” the Fund has proposed to eliminate the Fund’s policy of investing at least 25% of its net assets in securities issued by financial services corporations.
 
We make no recommendation as to Proposal No. 2.  For more information please refer to the section in the Fund’s proxy statement titled “PROPOSAL TWO”
 

8


PROPOSAL NO. 3:
 
HTD PROPOSAL TO MODIFY THE FUND’S UTILITIES SECTOR CONCENTRATION POLICY TO PERMIT INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CORPORATIONS
 
As discussed in further detail in the Fund’s proxy statement in the section titled “PROPOSAL THREE,” the Fund has proposed to modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in foreign corporations, as well as U.S. corporations (as required under the Fund’s current policy).
 
We make no recommendation as to Proposal No. 3.  For more information please refer to the section in the Fund’s proxy statement titled “PROPOSAL THREE”
 

 
We are not aware of any other proposals to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, we intend to bring before the Annual Meeting such business as may be appropriate, including without limitation nominating additional persons for directorships, or making any proposals as may be appropriate to address any action of the Board not publicly disclosed prior to the date of this proxy statement. Should other proposals be brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed WHITE proxy card will vote on such matters in their discretion.
 

9


VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES
 
Only shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Holders of the Common and Preferred Shares are entitled to one vote per share on all business of the Annual Meeting including any adjournment or postponement thereof, other than the election of Trustees, as to which only holders of the Common Shares are entitled to vote.  Shareholders who sell their Shares before the Record Date (or acquire them without voting rights after the Record Date) may not vote such Shares.  Shareholders of record on the Record Date will retain their voting rights in connection with the Annual Meeting even if they sell such Shares after the Record Date.  Based on publicly available information, Western believes that the only outstanding classes of securities of HTD entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are the Common and Preferred Shares.
 
Shareholders, including those who expect to attend the Annual Meeting, are urged to vote their Shares today by following the instructions for Internet voting detailed on the enclosed WHITE proxy card, by calling the toll-free number contained therein, or by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the enclosed return envelope to Western, c/o Innisfree M&A Incorporated, in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
 
Authorized proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting as marked and, in the absence of specific instructions, will be voted FOR the election of Western’s Nominees and in the discretion of the person named as proxy on all other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
 
We are asking you to vote FOR the election of Western’s Nominees.  The enclosed WHITE proxy card may only be voted for our Nominees and does not confer voting power with respect to the Fund’s nominees.  Shareholders should refer to the Fund’s proxy statement for the names, backgrounds, qualifications and other information concerning the Fund’s nominees.  The participants in this solicitation intend to vote all of their Shares for the election of Western’s Nominees and will not vote their Shares in favor of any of HTD’s trustee nominees.
 
 
QUORUM; VOTES REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL; ABSTENTIONS
 
Proposal
Vote Required (provided a quorum exists)*
One — Election of Trustees
For the Common Share class, a plurality of all votes cast.  A “plurality” means that the two nominees up for election by the Shares receiving the greatest number of votes of the Shares will be elected as trustees, regardless of the number of votes cast.
Common Shares vote separately on this proposal.
 
 
10


 
Two — Elimination of Financial Services Concentration Policy
67% or more of HTD’s Common and Preferred Shares (voting together).
   
Three — Revision of Utilities Concentration Policy
67% or more of HTD’s Common and Preferred Shares (voting together).
 
* In order for a “quorum” to exist, a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote must be present at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, determined in accordance with the table below.
 
For Proposals Two and Three (which are non-routine proposals), brokers that are member organizations of the New York Stock Exchange may vote Preferred Shares for which they have not received instructions in proportion to the shares for which they have received instructions. Proportionate voting of Preferred Shares may occur on a non-routine proposal only if: (i) at least 30% of the Preferred Shares of the fund outstanding and entitled to vote have been voted; (ii) less than 10% of such Preferred Shares voted against the proposal; (iii) the shareholders of the Common Shares of the fund have approved the proposal (except with respect to plurality votes); and (iv) a majority of the Independent Trustees have approved the proposal.
 
        The following table summarizes how the quorum and voting requirements are determined and is based on information contained in HTD’s proxy statement.
 
Shares
Quorum
Voting
     
In General
 
All shares “present” in person or by proxy are counted in determining whether a quorum exists.
Shares present in person will be voted in person by the shareholder at the meeting. Shares present by proxy will be voted by the proxyholder in accordance with instructions specified in the proxy.
     
Broker Non-Vote
 
Considered “present” at meeting.
 
Not voted. Same effect as a vote “against” a proposal.
 
11

 
Proxy with No Voting Instruction (other than Broker Non-Vote)
Considered “present” for determining whether a quorum exists.
Will be voted “for” the proposal by the proxyholder. 
 
     
Vote to Abstain
Considered “present” for determining whether a quorum exists.
Disregarded. Because abstentions are not votes “cast,” abstentions will have no effect on whether a proposal is approved.
     
Proportionately Voted Preferred Shares with No Voting Instruction
 
Considered “present” for determining whether a quorum exists.
Voted in proportion to preferred shares for which the broker received instructions.
 
 
If a quorum is not present, the persons named as proxies may vote their proxies to adjourn the meeting to a later date. If a quorum is present, but there are insufficient votes to approve any proposal, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the meeting to permit further solicitation. Shareholder action may be taken on one or more proposals prior to such adjournment. Proxies instructing a vote for a proposal will be voted in favor of an adjournment with respect to that proposal and proxies instructing a vote against a proposal will be voted against an adjournment with respect to that proposal.
 
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
Shareholders of HTD may revoke their proxies at any time prior to exercise by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy), by delivering a later-dated proxy by Internet, by telephone or by mail, or by delivering a written notice of revocation.  The delivery of a later-dated proxy which is properly completed will constitute a revocation of any earlier proxy.  The revocation may be delivered either to Western in care of Innisfree M&A Incorporated at the address set forth on the back cover of this proxy statement or to John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 or any other address provided by HTD.  Although a revocation is effective if delivered to HTD, Western requests that either the original or photostatic copies of all revocations be mailed to Western in care of Innisfree M&A Incorporated at the address set forth on the back cover of this proxy statement so that Western will be aware of all revocations and can more accurately determine if and when proxies have been received from the holders of record on the Record Date of a majority of the outstanding Shares.  Additionally, Innisfree M&A Incorporated may use this information to contact shareholders who have revoked their proxies in order to solicit later-dated proxies for the election of the Nominees and approval of other proposals described herein.
 
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES TO THE BOARD, OR FOR THE OTHER PROPOSALS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT, PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, AS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD, OR BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD, IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
 

12


SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
The solicitation of proxies pursuant to this proxy statement is being made by Western.  Proxies may be solicited by mail, facsimile, telephone, Internet, in person and by advertisements.
 
Western has entered into an agreement with Innisfree M&A Incorporated for solicitation and advisory services in connection with this solicitation, for which Innisfree M&A Incorporated will receive a fee not to exceed $[_______], together with reimbursement for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and will be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws.  Innisfree M&A Incorporated will solicit proxies from individuals, brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders.  Western has requested banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward all solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the Shares they hold of record.  Western will reimburse these record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing.  It is anticipated that Innisfree M&A Incorporated will employ approximately [__] persons to solicit HTD’s shareholders for the Annual Meeting.
 
The entire expense of soliciting proxies is being borne by Western, subject to certain limitations, pursuant to the terms of the Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement described below.  WIHP, WIAP, WITRL and WITRP have separately agreed to reimburse Western on a pro rata basis for these expenses.  Because Western believes that HTD’s shareholders will benefit from the solicitation (defined below), Western intends to seek reimbursement from HTD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, of all expenses it incurs in connection with the solicitation.  If necessary, Western will ask HTD to submit an application in this regard to, and obtain an order or a no-action letter from, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Western does not intend to submit the question of such reimbursement to a vote of security holders of HTD unless otherwise required by law.  Costs of this solicitation of proxies are currently estimated to be approximately $[_______].  Western estimates that through the date hereof, its expenses in connection with this solicitation are approximately $[_________].
 
OTHER PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
 
Each member of the Group is a participant in this solicitation.  Arthur D. Lipson is the managing member of Western, a Delaware limited liability company.  Western is the managing member of WIAP, a Delaware limited liability company, investment manager of WITRL a Cayman Islands corporation, and the general partner of each of WIHP, a Delaware limited partnership, and WITRP, a Delaware limited partnership, respectively.  Mr. Lipson and Professor Wood are each nominees for trustees of HTD.  The principal business address of Mr. Lipson, Western, WIHP, WIAP, WITRP and WITRL and is c/o Western Investment LLC, 7050 South Union Park Center, Suite 590, Midvale, Utah 84047.  The principal business address of Professor Wood is c/o Fogelman College of Business & Economics, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152.  Each of Western and Mr. Lipson is deemed to have sole voting and dispositive power over the Shares reported as beneficially owned by WIHP, WIAP, WITRP and WITRL by virtue of their respective positions described above.
 
The principal business of Western is acting as the managing member of WIAP, investment manager of WITRL and the general partner of each of WIHP and WITRP, respectively.  The principal occupation of Mr. Lipson is acting as the managing member of Western.  The principal business of WIHP, WIAP, WITRL and WITRP is acquiring, holding and disposing of investments in various companies.  The principal occupation of Professor Wood is serving as a Distinguished Professor of Finance at The University of Memphis.
 
For information regarding purchases and sales of securities of HTD during the past two years by members of the Group and affiliates of Western that no longer own any Shares, see Schedule I to this proxy statement.  The members of the Group purchased their Shares in margin accounts, where they are held together with other publicly traded securities.  Each of WIHP, WIAP and WITRL is a party to certain equity swap arrangements relating to the Fund.  For information regarding these swap arrangements see Schedule I to this proxy statement.
 

13

 
As of the Record Date, WIHP, WIAP and WITRP beneficially owned 598,900, 763,100 and 608,100 Common Shares, respectively, constituting approximately 1.4%, 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively, of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting.  Western directly owned approximately 1,045 Common Shares, constituting less than 1% of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting.  As the managing member of WIAP and the general partner of each of WIHP and WITRP, Western may be deemed to beneficially own the 1,970,100 Common Shares owned in the aggregate by WIHP, WIAP and WITRP, constituting approximately 4.7% of the Common Shares outstanding, in addition to the approximately 1,045 Common Shares it holds directly.  As the managing member of Western, Mr. Lipson may be deemed to beneficially own the approximately 1,971,145 Common Shares beneficially owned by Western as of the Record Date.
 
Professor Wood does not directly own any Shares.  As a member of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Professor Wood is deemed to beneficially own the approximately 1,971,145 Common Shares beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants in this solicitation.  Professor Wood disclaims beneficial ownership of such Common Shares.
 
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, (i) during the past 10 years, no participant in this solicitation has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); (ii) no participant in this solicitation directly or indirectly beneficially owns any securities of HTD; (iii) no participant in this solicitation owns any securities of HTD which are owned of record but not beneficially; (iv) no participant in this solicitation has purchased or sold any securities of HTD during the past two years; (v) no part of the purchase price or market value of the securities of HTD owned by any participant in this solicitation is represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities; (vi) no participant in this solicitation is, or within the past year was, a party to any contract, arrangements or understandings with any person with respect to any securities of HTD, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies; (vii) no associate of any participant in this solicitation owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities of HTD; (viii) no participant in this solicitation owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities of any parent or subsidiary of HTD; (ix) no participant in this solicitation has
 

14


any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to HTD’s business, to which any participant in this solicitation is a party adverse to HTD or any of its affiliated persons, or in which any participant in this solicitation has a material interest adverse to HTD or any of its affiliated persons; and (ix) no participant in this solicitation or any of his or its associates has any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by HTD or its affiliates, or with respect to any future transactions to which HTD or any of its affiliates will or may be a party.
 
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement there are no arrangements or understandings between Western and the Nominees or any other participant in this solicitation.
 
A representative of Western intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to nominate the persons specified in this Notice for election to the Board.
 
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
Shareholder proposals, including nominees for trustee, intended to be presented at the Fund’s annual meeting in 2009 must be received by the Fund at its offices at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210, after _____________, 2008, but no later than _____________, for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting (subject to certain exceptions).
 
OTHER MATTERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Western is unaware of any other matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.  However, should other matters, which Western is not aware of a reasonable time before this solicitation, be brought before the Annual Meeting, the person named as a proxy on the enclosed WHITE proxy card will vote on such matters in their discretion.
 
Western has omitted from this proxy statement certain disclosure required by applicable law that is already included in HTD’s proxy statement.  This disclosure includes, among other things, biographical information on HTD’s trustees and executive officers, the dollar range of shares owned by trustees of the Fund and information on committees of the Board.  Shareholders should refer to HTD’s proxy statement in order to review this disclosure.
 
According to HTD’s proxy statement, the Fund’s investment adviser is John Hancock Advisers, LLC, 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.  An affiliate of John Hancock Advisers, LLC, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.) LLC, 101 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02199, serves as subadviser to the Fund.
 
See Schedule II of this proxy statement for information regarding persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the Shares and the ownership of the Shares by the trustees of HTD.
 
The information concerning HTD contained in this proxy statement and the Schedules attached hereto has been taken from, or is based upon, publicly available information.
 

                    WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC

                    [__________], 2008


15


SCHEDULE I
 
PURCHASES AND SALES IN THE COMMON STOCK OF HTD
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS
 
Transaction
Quantity
Date
Price ($)
       
Western Investment Hedged Partners, L.P.
         
Sell
100
 
01/31/06
17.5144
Sell
1,700
 
02/03/06
17.2845
Sell
1,100
 
02/07/06
17.3244
Sell
1,500
 
03/06/06
17.6301
Sell
1,000
 
03/07/06
17.5195
Sell
2,700
 
03/09/06
17.3580
Sell
5,500
 
03/10/06
17.3423
Sell
5,000
 
03/13/06
17.3580
Sell
3,100
 
03/21/06
17.5312
Buy
3,600
 
04/18/06
16.6453
Buy
1,100
 
04/27/06
16.7608
Sell
8,000
 
08/23/06
18.5996
Sell
3,900
 
08/25/06
18.5999
Sell
3,600
 
08/29/06
18.6089
Sell
17,000
 
08/30/06
18.6766
Sell
6,600
 
08/31/06
18.6882
Sell
3,900
 
09/01/06
18.7158
Sell
4,200
 
09/05/06
18.6635
Sell
1,600
 
09/06/06
18.6132
Sell
2,500
 
09/07/06
18.4396
Sell
2,900
 
09/08/06
18.3417
Sell
7,700
 
09/11/06
18.3366
Sell
8,900
 
09/12/06
18.3249
Sell
1,700
 
09/13/06
18.3556
Sell
6,800
 
09/14/06
18.5428
Sell
7,000
 
09/15/06
18.5470
Sell
12,000
 
09/19/06
18.5367
Sell
3,900
 
09/20/06
18.5686
Sell
2,700
 
09/20/06
18.5674
Sell
9,900
 
09/22/06
18.5422
Buy
1,100
 
08/09/07
18.2716
Buy
2,800
 
08/16/07
16.9647
Buy
3,300
 
08/20/07
18.2634
Buy
18,300
 
08/21/07
18.4208
Buy
1,300
 
08/22/07
18.6402
Buy
3,700
 
08/23/07
18.7482
Buy
2,600
 
08/30/07
18.4559
Buy
3,700
 
08/31/07
18.6652
Buy
4,600
 
09/04/07
18.8430
 
I-1

 
 
Transaction
Quantity
Date
Price ($)
       
Buy
2,300
 
09/05/07
18.5068
Buy
3,600
 
09/06/07
18.5984
Buy
6,000
 
09/07/07
18.4134
Buy
9,600
 
09/10/07
18.4786
Buy
9,100
 
09/12/07
18.5609
Buy
5,900
 
09/13/07
18.6892
Buy
9,900
 
09/14/07
18.6422
Buy
2,000
 
09/17/07
18.5385
Buy
13,000
 
09/18/07
18.7476
Buy
18,500
 
09/19/07
19.3216
Buy
8,500
 
09/20/07
19.1602
Sell
121,300
 
09/20/07
19.0896
Buy
121,300
 
10/17/07
18.9400
Buy
4,800
 
10/19/07
18.6842
Buy
21,200
 
10/22/07
18.3969
Buy
9,200
 
10/23/07
18.5161
Buy
23,600
 
10/24/07
18.3745
Buy
12,600
 
10/25/07
18.6193
Buy
48,000
 
11/01/07
18.8962
Sell
3,000
 
11/01/07
18.9382
Sell
2,700
 
11/02/07
18.7794
Buy
13,400
 
11/05/07
18.6805
Buy
12,700
 
11/07/07
18.2600
Buy
69,100
 
11/06/07
18.5897
Buy
69,200
 
11/09/07
18.0258
Buy
117,600
 
11/12/07
17.9109
Buy
37,600
 
11/13/07
18.0285
Buy
18,900
 
11/29/07
17.9891
Buy
12,600
 
11/30/07
18.2009
Sell
3,000
 
12/03/07
18.6458
Buy
4,400
 
12/06/07
18.8770
Buy
1,900
 
12/10/07
19.0025
Buy
1,000
 
12/12/07
18.3925
         

Western Investment Activism Partners LLC
       
Buy
5,100
 
07/25/06
17.8139
Buy
1,200
 
07/26/06
17.9433
Buy
2,300
 
07/27/06
18.0193
Buy
12,600
 
07/28/06
18.1270
Buy
16,000
 
08/02/06
18.3066
Buy
10,200
 
08/03/06
18.2113
Buy
100
 
08/04/06
18.5650
Buy
1,500
 
08/07/06
18.2050
Buy
400
 
08/08/06
18.3550
 
I-2

 
 
Transaction
Quantity
Date
Price ($)
       
Buy
3,000
 
08/10/06
18.2523
Sell
100
 
08/10/06
18.3044
Buy
4,200
 
08/11/06
18.2034
Buy
8,000
 
08/14/06
18.2461
Buy
7,700
 
08/15/06
18.2786
Buy
2,100
 
09/18/06
18.5598
Sell
57,100
 
09/18/06
18.5683
Sell
17,200
 
09/22/06
18.5426
Buy
1,100
 
07/25/07
18.9116
Buy
14,400
 
08/06/07
18.1722
Buy
1,400
 
08/22/07
18.6396
Buy
30,400
 
09/07/07
18.4120
Buy
9,600
 
09/10/07
18.4786
Buy
9,100
 
09/12/07
18.5609
Buy
6,000
 
09/13/07
18.6892
Buy
9,900
 
09/14/07
18.6422
Buy
2,000
 
09/17/07
18.5385
Buy
13,000
 
09/18/07
18.7476
Buy
18,600
 
09/19/07
19.3216
Buy
8,500
 
09/20/07
19.1602
Buy
10,300
 
09/21/07
19.2307
Sell
5,200
 
09/21/07
19.1789
Sell
14,000
 
09/24/07
19.1361
Sell
17,900
 
09/25/07
18.9280
Sell
9,300
 
09/26/07
18.9378
Sell
58,600
 
09/27/07
18.9946
Sell
27,000
 
09/28/07
18.9483
Buy
3,000
 
10/17/07
18.8205
Buy
24,400
 
10/18/07
18.8367
Buy
4,800
 
10/19/07
18.6842
Buy
21,200
 
10/22/07
18.3969
Buy
9,100
 
10/23/07
18.5161
Buy
23,500
 
10/24/07
18.3745
Buy
46,500
 
10/26/07
18.9836
Buy
41,000
 
10/29/07
19.1030
Buy
66,700
 
10/31/07
19.1747
Buy
150,000
 
10/31/07
19.2418
Buy
35,000
 
11/19/07
17.7784
Buy
49,400
 
11/20/07
17.7142
Buy
38,100
 
11/21/07
17.6165
Buy
4,900
 
11/23/07
17.7760
Buy
9,300
 
11/26/07
17.7978
Buy
7,600
 
11/27/07
17.6168
Buy
99,500
 
11/28/07
18.0427
Buy
18,900
 
11/29/07
17.9891
Buy
12,600
 
11/30/07
18.2009
Sell
2,900
 
12/03/07
18.6458
 
 
I-3

 
 
Transaction
Quantity
Date
Price ($)
       
Buy
10,900
 
12/05/07
18.6624
Buy
4,400
 
12/06/07
18.8770
Buy
12,800
 
12/13/07
17.8350
Buy
9,900
 
01/09/08
17.5530
Buy
17,800
 
01/10/08
17.7143
Buy
30,200
 
01/14/08
17.7650
Buy
10,300
 
01/16/08
17.5304
Buy
1,900
 
01/22/08
16.4925
         
Western Investment Institutional Partners LLC
         
Buy
800
 
11/22/05
16.8285
Buy
5,000
 
11/23/05
16.7445
Buy
1,000
 
12/13/05
16.6785
Sell
1,000
 
02/02/06
17.3550
Sell
1,700
 
02/03/06
17.2845
Sell
1,500
 
03/06/06
17.6301
Sell
2,700
 
03/09/06
17.3580
Sell
5,500
 
03/10/06
17.3423
Sell
5,000
 
03/13/06
17.3580
Sell
3,000
 
03/21/06
17.5311
Buy
1,000
 
04/27/06
16.7617
Sell
8,000
 
08/23/06
18.5996
Sell
200
 
08/24/06
18.4744
Sell
4,000
 
08/25/06
18.5999
Sell
3,500
 
08/29/06
18.6088
Sell
1,500
 
08/30/06
18.6739
Sell
16,500
 
08/30/06
18.6766
Sell
2,800
 
08/31/06
18.7045
Sell
4,000
 
09/01/06
18.7171
Sell
4,300
 
09/05/06
18.6648
Sell
1,600
 
09/06/06
18.6132
Sell
2,600
 
09/07/06
18.4398
Sell
2,900
 
09/08/06
18.3434
Sell
7,800
 
09/11/06
18.3373
Sell
8,900
 
09/12/06
18.3255
Sell
2,000
 
09/13/06
18.3589
Sell
6,900
 
09/14/06
18.5435
Sell
7,000
 
09/15/06
18.5477
Sell
13,100
 
09/19/06
18.5371
Sell
1,000
 
09/20/06
18.5611
Sell
5,600
 
09/20/06
18.5702
Sell
2,300
 
09/21/06
18.5480
Sell
1,700
 
09/22/06
18.5373
Sell
9,700
 
09/22/06
18.5427
         
         
 
 
I-4

 
Transaction
Quantity
Date
Price ($)
       
Western Investment Total Return Partners, L.P.
         
Buy
45,100
 
10/30/07
19.0037
Buy
15,300
 
12/14/07
17.7893
Buy
17,900
 
12/17/07
17.5867
Buy
23,000
 
12/18/07
17.5058
Buy
63,000
 
12/19/07
17.5959
Buy
59,300
 
12/20/07
17.3266
Buy
64,700
 
12/21/07
17.5745
Buy
57,400
 
12/24/07
17.8766
Buy
85,100
 
12/26/07
17.8658
Buy
30,500
 
12/27/07
17.7250
Buy
50,000
 
12/27/07
17.7500
Buy
52,300
 
12/28/07
17.6599
Buy
33,200
 
01/07/08
17.6246
Buy
11,300
 
01/08/08
17.8314
         

Western Investment LLC
         
Buy
1,000
 
10/01/07
19.0085
         

Western Investment Total Return Fund, Ltd.
None
 
Arthur D. Lipson
None
 
Robert A. Wood
None





THERE WERE NO TRANSACTIONS IN THE PREFERRED SHARES OF HTD BY THE GROUP IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

I-5


Agreements Relating to Securities of the Trust
 
As of the Record Date, each of WIHP, WIAP and WITRL is a party to certain equity swap arrangements (the “Swap Arrangements”) with a financial institution (the “Bank”) as the counterparty.  Pursuant to these Swap Arrangements, each of WIHP, WIAP and WITRL is obligated to pay to the Bank the equity notional amount on a total of 147,433, 374,927 and 92,000 Common Shares, respectively, subject to the Swap Arrangements (the "Reference Shares") as of the beginning of the valuation period (which resets monthly), plus interest.  At the termination of the Swap Arrangements, the Bank is obligated to pay to each of WIHP, WIAP and WITRL the market value of their respective interest in the Reference Shares as of the end of the valuation period.  Any dividends received by the Bank on the Reference Shares during the term of the Swap Arrangements will be paid to WIHP, WIAP and WITRL.  All balances will be cash settled and there will be no transfer to WIHP, WIAP or WITRL of voting or dispositive power over the Reference Shares.  The Swap Arrangements expire on May 5, 2008.  Western and the other participants in this solicitation disclaim beneficial ownership of the Reference Shares, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.  The Reference Shares are not included as part of the totals, with respect to the Common Shares, disclosed herein by the participants to this solicitation.
 


I-6


SCHEDULE II
 
The following table is derived from the Fund’s proxy statement filed with the
 
Securities and Exchange Commission on [________]
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF HTD1
 
The table below provides a dollar range indicating each Trustee’s ownership of equity securities of the fund as well as aggregate holdings of shares of equity securities of all John Hancock Funds overseen by the Trustee, as of December 31, 2007.  According to the Fund’s proxy statement, there are no beneficial owners of greater than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.
 
Name of Trustee
Number of Common
Shares owned of HTD
Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities in HTD
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
John Hancock Funds
Overseen by Trustee
James F. Carlin
50
$1 - $10,000
Over $100,000
William H. Cunningham
--
--
Over $100,000
Charles L. Ladner
270
$1 - $10,000
Over $100,000
John A. Moore
2,000
$10,001 - $50,000
Over $100,000
Patti McGill Peterson
86
$1 - $10,000
Over $100,000
Steven R. Pruchansky
--
--
Over $100,000
James R. Boyle
--
--
Over $100,000





 
 
1The amounts reflect the aggregate dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the trustees in the Fund and in all John Hancock funds overseen by each trustee. For each trustee, the amounts reflected include share equivalents of certain John Hancock funds in which the trustee is deemed to be invested pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees, as more fully described in the Fund’s proxy statement under the section titled “Remuneration of Trustees and Officers.” The information as to beneficial ownership is based on statements furnished to HTD by the trustees. Each of the trustees has all voting and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated. None of the trustees beneficially owned individually, and the trustees and executive officers of the fund as a group did not beneficially own, in excess of one percent of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
 

II-1


IMPORTANT
 
Tell your Board what you think!  Your vote is important.  No matter how many Shares you own, please give Western your proxy FOR the election of Western’s Nominees by voting your Shares by telephone or Internet as described in the enclosed WHITE proxy card or by signing and dating the enclosed WHITE proxy card, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided.
 
If any of your Shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, bank nominee or other institution, only it can vote such Shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.  Accordingly, please contact the person responsible for your account and instruct that person to execute the WHITE proxy card representing your Shares.  In addition, if you hold your shares in a brokerage or bank account, your broker or bank may allow you to provide your voting instructions by telephone or Internet.  Please consult the materials you receive from your broker or bank prior to authorizing a proxy by telephone or Internet.  Western urges you to confirm in writing your instructions to Western in care of Innisfree M&A Incorporated at the address provided below so that Western will be aware of all instructions given and can attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.
 
If you have any questions or need assistance voting your Shares, please call:
 
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
 
Shareholders Call Toll-Free at: (877) 456-3510
Banks and Brokers Call Collect at: (212) 750-5833
 

II-2


PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
DATED JANUARY [__], 2008




PLEASE VOTE TODAY!

SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE.





▼ TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE ▼
 
 
 
 
WHITE
 PROXY
PREFERRED STOCK

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
IS NOT SOLICITING THIS PROXY

The undersigned appoints Arthur D. Lipson as the undersigned’s attorney and agent with full power of substitution to vote all shares of preferred stock of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (the “Fund”) which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Fund scheduled to be held 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Monday March 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and including at any adjournments or postponements thereof and at any meeting called in lieu thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote or act with respect to the shares of preferred stock of the Fund held by the undersigned, and hereby ratifies and confirms all actions the herein named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully take by virtue hereof.  If properly executed, this Proxy will be voted as directed on the reverse and in the discretion of such attorneys and proxies and their substitutes with respect to any other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Mark each vote with an X in the box.
 
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSALS ON THE REVERSE, THIS PROXY WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND PROPOSAL 3.
 
This Proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting.
 

 
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)



JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Please take a moment now to vote your shares of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
preferred stock for the upcoming Annual Meeting of shareholders.

PLEASE REVIEW THE PROXY STATEMENT
AND VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:

1.
Vote by Telephone – Please call toll-free from the U.S. or Canada at _________________, on a touch-tone telephone.  If outside the U.S. or Canada, call ________________.  Please follow the simple recorded instructions.  You will be required to provide the unique control number shown below.
   
 
OR

2.
Vote by Internet – Please access________________, and follow the simple instructions.  Please note you must type an “s” after http.  You will be required to provide the unique control number shown below.

 
                      
                         CONTROL NUMBER: 
 
   
     
 

 
You may vote by telephone or Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you had marked, signed and returned a proxy card.
 

 
OR

3.
Vote by Mail – If you do not wish to vote by telephone or over the Internet, please sign, date and return the WHITE proxy card in the envelope provided, and mail to: Western Investment LLC, c/o Innisfree M&A Incorporated, FDR Station, P.O. Box 5155, New York, NY 10150-5155.

▼ TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE ▼
 
 
 
WHITE PROXY CARD
PREFERRED STOCK

1.
Proposal No. 2:

 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
To eliminate the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to securities issued by financial services companies.
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]

2.
Proposal No. 3:

 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
To modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in foreign as well as U.S. corporations.
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]





3.
To vote and otherwise represent the undersigned on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, including voting on adjournment of the Annual Meeting with respect to one or more matters in the discretion of the proxy holder.
   
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]




DATE:  ____________________________

____________________________________
(Signature)
____________________________________
(Signature, if held jointly)
____________________________________
(Title)

WHEN SHARES ARE HELD  JOINTLY, JOINT  OWNERS
SHOULD  EACH SIGN.  EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS,
TRUSTEES, ETC. SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN
WHICH SIGNING.  PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME
APPEARS ON THIS PROXY.



PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
DATED JANUARY [__], 2008




PLEASE VOTE TODAY!

SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE.




▼ TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE ▼
 
 
WHITE
 PROXY
COMMON STOCK

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
IS NOT SOLICITING THIS PROXY

The undersigned appoints Arthur D. Lipson as the undersigned’s attorney and agent with full power of substitution to vote all shares of common stock of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (the “Fund”) which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Fund scheduled to be held 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Monday March 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and including at any adjournments or postponements thereof and at any meeting called in lieu thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote or act with respect to the shares of common stock of the Fund held by the undersigned, and hereby ratifies and confirms all actions the herein named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully take by virtue hereof.  If properly executed, this Proxy will be voted as directed on the reverse and in the discretion of such attorneys and proxies and their substitutes with respect to any other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Mark each vote with an X in the box.
 
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSALS ON THE REVERSE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE WESTERN NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1 AND WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND PROPOSAL 3.
 
This Proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting.
 

 
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)


JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Please take a moment now to vote your shares of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
common stock for the upcoming Annual Meeting of shareholders.

PLEASE REVIEW THE PROXY STATEMENT
AND VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:

1.
Vote by Telephone – Please call toll-free from the U.S. or Canada at ___________, on a touch-tone telephone.  If outside the U.S. or Canada, call _______________.  Please follow the simple recorded instructions.  You will be required to provide the unique control number shown below.
   
 
OR

2.
Vote by Internet – Please access ____________________, and follow the simple instructions.  Please note you must type an “s” after http.  You will be required to provide the unique control number shown below.
           
                         CONTROL NUMBER: 
 
     
 
You may vote by telephone or Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you had marked, signed and returned a proxy card.
 
 
 
OR

3.
Vote by Mail – If you do not wish to vote by telephone or over the Internet, please sign, date and return the WHITE proxy card in the envelope provided, and mail to: Western Investment LLC, c/o Innisfree M&A Incorporated, FDR Station, P.O. Box 5155, New York, NY 10150-5155.

▼ TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE ▼
 
 
WHITE PROXY CARD
COMMON STOCK

WESTERN INVESTMENT LLC, (“WESTERN”) RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1

1.
Proposal No. 1: Western’s proposal to elect its slate of trustee nominees, each to hold office until the 2011 annual meeting of the Fund’s shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualify.

        Nominees:
        (01) Arthur D. Lipson
        (02) Robert A. Wood
 
FOR ALL NOMINEES
[    ]
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES
[    ]
FOR ALL EXCEPT NOMINEE(S) WRITTEN BELOW
____________________________
_____________________________

2.
Proposal No. 2:

 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
To eliminate the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to securities issued by financial services companies.
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]

3.
Proposal No. 3:

 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
To modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in foreign as well as U.S. corporations.
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]





4.
To vote and otherwise represent the undersigned on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, including voting on adjournment of the Annual Meeting with respect to one or more matters in the discretion of the proxy holder.
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]




DATE:  ____________________________

____________________________________
(Signature)
____________________________________
(Signature, if held jointly)
____________________________________
(Title)

WHEN SHARES ARE HELD  JOINTLY, JOINT  OWNERS
SHOULD  EACH SIGN.  EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS,
TRUSTEES, ETC. SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN
WHICH SIGNING.  PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME
APPEARS ON THIS PROXY.