Whenever any officer to whom the legal custody of any paper, document or record shall belong, shall certify that he has made diligent examination in his office for such paper, document or record, and that it cannot be found, such certificate shall be presumptive evidence of the facts so certified, in all causes, matters and proceedings in the same manner and with the like effect as if such officer had personally testified to the same in the court, or before the officer before whom such cause, matter or proceeding may be pending.