Record in the book of records of his district, all orders and directions of the highway commissioner required by law to be kept, and as hereinafter provided for. All records and books required by law to be kept by such clerk shall be deemed public records and shall at all times be open to inspection without fee or reward. The clerk shall also meet with the highway commissioner whenever requested at any reasonable time to do so by the latter official. Copies of all papers duly filed in the office of the district clerk and transcripts from the district records certified to by him shall be evidence in all courts in like effect as if the originals were produced.