(1) A copy of an entry in any register, or of any receipt application, plan, notice, order or other document in the possession of the Board, shall, if duly certified by an officer authorized in this behalf, be received as prima facie evidence of the entry or document and be admitted as evidence of the matter or transaction therein recorded in every case where, and to the same extent as, the original entry or document would, if produced, have been admissible to prove such matters.
(2) No member, officer or servant of the Board shall, in any legal proceeding to which the Board in not a party, be required to produce any register or document, the contents of which can be proved under sub-section (1) by a certified copy, or to appear as a witness to prove the matter or transaction recorded therein, unless the court, for reasons to be recorded, considers it necessary to make such an order.